Obstetrician opens visiting clinic

Dr. Basem Hafazalla, an Obstetrician in Yarmouth, has decided to start a visiting clinic at Roseway hospital.

His scope of practice at Roseway will not be limited to expectant women but can also include examinations for cancer, venereal disease, or insertion of IUD’s.

“Right now I will come down once every two weeks but eventually as more patients come I plan to come every week,” said Dr. Hafazalla.

He explained the importance of women getting the proper, early detection for diseases like cervical cancer and hopes that his presence in the community will make it easier for women to get the treatment they need.

Simple day surgeries may be done on location at the hospital as well.

Dr. Hafazalla hopes to expand his services by eventually raising money for medical equipment including a colposcope.

A colposcope is a diagnostic tool used to examine the cervix after an abnormal pap smear is detected and Dr. Hafazalla explained the tool itself is not expensive in relation to other medical devices.

“It would be great to have it there,” he said. “It would mean that we could do more things in Shelburne…It saves the women of Shelburne having to come 100 km just for a simple procedure.”

Many pregnant women will be able to take advantage of his services. Many pregnant women in the county currently must travel to Yarmouth or Bridgewater hospitals to see an Obstetrician monthly and then weekly as they reach the end of term, taking up both precious time and money.

Dr. Hafazalla will be performing an IUD insertion for the first time at Roseway he plans to teach the nurses at Roseway how to assist in many of the procedures through observation and training in Yarmouth.