Polish health clinic opens in Limerick

A HEALTH clinic for Polish immigrants opened in Limerick city yesterday.

The couple behind the project are Jan Wojnar, who has been running a construction company in Limerick for the past two years, and his wife Daria, a doctor.

Mr Wojnar said: “Throughout the city we saw an emerging Polish speciality in food shops, pubs and elsewhere. So we felt there was a need for a health clinic.

“It is very important when a person is sick that they can go to a doctor who first of all understands their language and whom they can identify with.”

The Medipol clinic is on John Street and as well as Dr Wojnar the medical staff includes a paediatrician and gynaecologist.

Mr Wojnar said: “At present the gynaecologist is coming over from Poland for about 10 days per month and will be permanent from the beginning of next year.”

As well as Polish nationals, the doctors are proficient in other languages including Russian, Czech and Slovak.

The clinic opens 9 to 5 on weekdays and with two late openings to 7pm.

Mr Wojnar said they will operate a limited house call service.

“If there is an urgent case we will go out, but only on urgent cases.”

Patients will pay €50 per visit and will be able to recoup this money from their Polish health insurance.

Pat O’Sullivan, president of the Irish Polish Cultural and Business Association, said the opening of the clinic will be hugely beneficial to the local immigrant population.

Mr O’Sullivan said: “Up to now Polish people living here had to go over and back home to attend to routine medical problems, often due to language difficulties.

“Also, historically, there is a different doctor and patient relationship in Poland. They see the doctor as a confidante and they spend far more time with the doctor when they visit a clinic. It is not in and out.”

There are up to 10,000 Polish nationals living in the greater Limerick area.

The clinic cane be contacted on 087 6565850.