The importance of foot health, especially for persons with diabetes, was emphasized by Podologist Yvonne Braithwaite yesterday, when she launched the local leg of Rovon Health Care Inc, which includes a foot spa.
The local branch of Rovon Healthcare Inc was launched yesterday afternoon during a ceremony, which was attended by Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes.
Rovon is a Trinidad-based company, started by Braithwaite, who hails from Guyana.
The company offers a variety of healthcare services, including podology, emergency medical services, medical overseas consultations and nurse escorts. The podology services being offered are for diabetic foot care, ingrown nails, corns, heel fissures, athlete’s foot, calluses, verucca and other foot ailments.
“The foot is always a neglected part of the body. Honestly, it is taken for granted, when it takes us all over the world. The sole of our feet has seven thousand nerve endings called reflexes that correspond to every organ and system in your body…Podology will be the first service to be offered to the people of Guyana because my goal, as a Podologist, is to prevent amputations of the lower limbs in diabetic patients,” Braithwaite stated, emphasizing that “there are too many amputations”.
“Diabetics are at risk big time [for amputations]. Number one, they’re not supposed to walk barefoot because they lose the sensation under the feet…a diabetic is supposed to have their feet checked every day…Make sure the callous does not build up because a lot of times what happens under the callous, it undermines and there is where the ulcer starts,” she later explained.
Braithwaite noted that her clients would usually visit anywhere from as often as every four weeks to once every three months, depending on how severely their feet are affected. They are equipped with tools to help them maintain the state of their feet while at home.
By the third week in February, persons should be able to access podology services at the spa which will be located at the St Joseph Mercy Hospital. These services will run week-long and be available every third week of every month.
The Medivac service and escorts, which will allow patients to be transported and accompanied to healthcare institutions in Trinidad to seek medical attention, will be available from March.
“It is our mission to improve the health of those we serve with a commitment to excellence in all that we do. Our goal is to offer quality care and services that set international standards and exceed our patient’s expectations. Our vision is to be the leading primary healthcare provider in the Caribbean by expanding our services across CARICOM,” Braithwaite said during her presentation.
Attorney Nigel Hughes, while delivering the vote of thanks, commended Braithwaite for returning to Guyana’s shores to invest and lauded her work overseas.
“…When we actually have one of our own come back to Guyana, invest and continue something that has to be commended. I think a lot of people take from Guyana and leave and then come back expecting Guyana to support them, this is somebody who has actually come back and is investing not only her time but of course her hard effort and taking the risk of coming home,” Hughes said.
Braithwaite said that Rovan Home Healthcare Incorporation is a subsidiary of Rovan Home Healthcare Limited, which was founded 15 years ago in Trinidad and Tobago.
“As the leader in the healthcare industry, we provide quality care based on the belief that every individual has the right to considerate service at all times with due recognition of their personal dignity,” she stated.
Interested persons can make contact with representatives of the company at 601-9353, or send an email to rovonpodology@gmail.com. The spa will located at the St Joseph Mercy Hospital, at lot 130-132 Parade Street, Kingston.
