Dr Saad Albarki, who consults at Werribee’s Friendly Medical Clinic and Truganina’s Health West Medical and Specialist Centre, says the only way through the COVID-19 pandemic is working together as a community.
Dr Albarki says our frontline health workers are working hard to help the community.
“We have to be vigilant, we have to follow the health guidelines and we have to educate our people.
“Some are in denial … and some that I hear from do not consider COVID to be an issue, but we are in a pandemic. It does kill and it does affect all ages,” he said.
“Unless we all work together and take care to protect ourselves, our kids and our elderly, we will only see the case numbers increase.
“The current zero record of COVID-19 cases is good news. It means our community is working in the right direction to defeat this pandemic and we need to keep these zero figures to continue by constantly practicing the leathy protective measures that we all should know.”
Both clinics are taking extra safety precautions by conducting telehealth phone consultations, temperature checks, and COVID guidelines advice.
With five other languages as well as English represented, the bulk-billing clinics have Australian General Practice accreditation, and a skilful experienced team of allied health and specialist doctors on board.
Along with Cardiac Diagnostics and 4 Cyte Pathology, allied health services on site include mental health care for patients from 12 years old; Comfort Feet, providing podiatry services and custom-designed insoles; Oral Square Dental Clinic; and Enrich Physio. A radiology clinic will be opening soon.
Meet the team
There are nine highly credentialed doctors at the clinics, plus a senior sonographer, a diabetes/asthma/quit-smoking educator, a consultant pharmacist, a dietician, and a registered nurse/qualified homeopath.
Dr Albarki has a particular interest in performing minor surgeries, such as circumcision and biopsies.
He’s joined by Dr Michael Jones, a cardiologist who consults and supervises Cardiac Diagnostics.
Dr Irvy Etta and Dr Hussain Ahmad are highly qualified GPs with diplomas in dermatology.
Well-known Dr Wasan Dalaali, with more than 20 years’ experience, brings skills to antenatal care and general medicine.
Dr Inas Ahmad, a qualified consultant geriatrician and general physician, has an interest in chronic diseases and pain management.
Dr Farjana Sultana, a passionate and caring GP who’s worked at both clinics for the past three years, has a focus on family health issues.
Mr Yahya Al-Habbal, UGI/general Surgeon and endoscopist, and Dr Inas Ahmad, GP and geriatrician, are the clinics’ other skilled doctors.
Friendly Medical Centre,
83 Watton Street, Werribee. Opens 9am-6pm weekdays, 9am-1pm Saturday.
Inquiries: 9741 0074.
Healthwest Medical Centre, 549 Morris Road, Truganina. Opens 9am-9pm weekdays, 9am-5pm weekends. Inquiries: 8360 3877
