By Sue Tiffin

A walk-in medical clinic in Kinmount that opened in the early months ofthe year is gaining momentum among residents and cottagers in Kinmountand surrounding area this summer after reopening in July after theprovince’s pandemic lockdown measures were lifted.

The KinmountWalk-in Medical Clinic is located at the Kinmount Health & DistrictCentre with a nurse on-site and a physician who is accessible viatelemedicine.
“The opportunity presented itself” said KinmountPharmacy owner Samuel Iskandar. “There’s always shortages of health-care practitioners up here and you’ve got to be creative sometimes to getthe services up here.”

Iskandar said that an average number of aboutfive clients are making use of the clinic daily including some peoplewho are referred from the emergency department at the Minden hospital.
“It’s picking up” said Iskandar. “We get a few patients every single daynow I think people are really starting to find the value in it. It’s alittle different you know but it operates very smoothly there’s a lot less waiting time so I think people are really finding the value init.”

Though the service is designed for walk-in needs Iskandar saidit is recommended to call and book a tentative appointment in order toreduce the amount of time spent waiting in the facility.
As forservices offered there’s a whole array said Iskandar everything fromupper respiratory tract infections (flu or colds) sinus infectionsurinary tract infections yeast infections rashes asthma bronchitisear infections eye infections migraines vaccination Vitamin B12injections and blood work requisition. People with urgent needs showingsymptoms of stroke heart attack or severe trauma or pain or otherlife-threatening symptoms should instead attend an emergency departmentor call 911.
Besides offering minimal wait times convenientprescription refills and access to specialist referrals and medicalimagery Iskandar believes the service helps to eliminate the barrier of access of health care especially to under-serviced rural communities.

“Honestly any service we can provide to the community any health-care serviceI’m always open to it because we need it up here” he said. “Anything we can provide for the community we have our ears open and if it worksand fits the plan here we’re always open for any opportunities thatcome our way.”
The Kinmount Walk-in Medical Clinic located at theKinmount Health & District Centre at 5100 County Road 503 is openfrom 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and can be reached at 705-488-1960.