A day with the mobile clinic in Agros
On a wet and cloudy day, Sunday 10 November, the Medical School’s mobile clinic visited Agros village. The weather added an unusual charm to the day as the team prepared to offer essential health services.
A team of 18 medical student volunteers, under the guidance of Drs Danagra Ikossi and Sotiris Dimosthenous, set up their health stations and offered free diagnostic tests—including blood pressure, glucose, and BMI measurements—to over 50 individuals.
Despite the language barrier, Adi Epstein from Israel found a way to connect with the locals. ‘Though most of them don’t speak English, I had a great time examining them’, she said. ‘When you genuinely want to be there for someone, words aren’t necessary—just smile, and the language of the heart do the rest’.
Danai Psaltakou from Greece, described the mobile clinic as a unique opportunity. ‘It was so interesting to get hands-on experience in standard clinical tests as well as build rapport with the local community. I was very grateful for this opportunity, as it was very valuable to us medical students’, she reflected.
For Tony Megally from Egypt, the experience was transformative. ‘The mobile clinic allowed me to step out of my comfort zone’, he shared. ‘It enabled me to meet more students and locals, truly embracing myself in Cypriot culture’.
After the clinic’s activities, the group took the opportunity to explore Agros by foot. They visited Niki’s traditional spoon sweets and marmalades workshop, where Niki herself greeted them and offered a selection of her sweets. Their journey also took them to the rose factory, where they were given a tour and learned about the diverse products crafted from roses.
Yahya Wehbeh from Lebanon commented on how important it is to engage with communities before health issues become serious and added ‘I truly enjoyed connecting with patients, meeting new peers, and discovering new areas of the island. The closeness within the group made the experience even more special, turning it into a meaningful and unforgettable journey’.
Ieva Valentinaite from Norway found this experience particularly rewarding, deepening her commitment to the field through patient interactions and shared experiences with colleagues.
Byren van Wattingen from the Netherlands rounded off the day with high praise for the opportunity. ‘I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the mobile clinic today in Agros village. This was a great opportunity to use my clinical and communication skills in practice. I would encourage everyone to sign up’!
As they left Agros, the medical students took with them new connections and insights into Cypriot life, making the event a valuable experience for everyone involved.
