The Rotary Club of Rarotonga has handed over the keys of a new mobile health clinic to the Cook Islands Ministry of Health today.
Rarotonga's new mobile health clinic. Photo: Rotary 9940
The clinic is housed on board a refurbished bus which will replace 27 village medical centres dotted around Rarotonga when it begins service next week.
It is the culmination of nearly two years work by Rotary clubs in New Zealand, Rarotonga and around the world.
Members of Masterton South Rotary in New Zealand are responsible for the purchase and fit-out of the bus which includes a machine for heart monitoring and a centrifuge for blood testing.
It will provide medical care, blood donor services, health education and awareness for many of the island's 13,000 people.
The president of Rotary Rarotonga Mark Boyd said yesterday's official handover followed some surprises in the weekend's national elections.
"And that was handed over to the Honourable Nandi Glassie, who is our Minister of Health here in the Cook Islands. He made a bit of a joke, he said he might have to reapply as a driver for the bus since he may not have a job in the near future," Mr Boyd said.
