By Zanub Saeed
The first Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, which will provide health services to those in the Mosaic Primary Care Networks, launched in Canada, specifically in the Calgary, Alberta area.
In association with Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada, Ronald McDonald House Southern Alberta and Mosaic Primary Care Network, the new truck supplying health care to those Canadians in need, was unveiled on June 12th by Mayor Naheed Nenshi, according to a press release issued by Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada on Tuesday.
"We are excited to partner with Ronald McDonald House in this new initiative" Jason Shenher, Executive Director of the Mosaic Primary Care Network said for the press release. "We believe that taking the services to the people will remove a lot of barriers and ultimately improve the population's health".
The truck itself is 12 meters long, two meters wide, and contains two patient examination rooms, a medical supplies storage area, and a reception area, listed the press release. It will provide free medical, dental, and general health services to underprivileged families in the Calgary area.
Specific health services provided include: nutritional counseling; oral health and screening; pre-natal care and education; childhood health promotion and injury prevention education; immunizations for all family members; and specimen collection, said the press release.
Calgary, of all Canadian cities, was chosen for its dire need for medical assistance for families, as, according to the press release, 50 percent of the population does not have a primary physician. The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile hopes and plans to help at least 7,000 locals in its first year of open; it is schedule to operate for 8 days a week, and an overall 312 days per year.
"The Calgary community is like family to all of us at Ronald McDonald House Southern Alberta and we are so pleased to be able to show our support back to the community through this wonderful new program" Larry Mathieson, Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House Southern Alberta, was quoted for the press release as saying.
"While Ronald McDonald House Southern Alberta will continue be a home away from for the families of sick children being treated at a nearby hospital, our new Ronald McDonald Care Mobile allows us to extend our support right into our local communities and together with our health care partners at Mosaic, help more children and families in their time of need," Mathieson said.
