Limerick is in pole position to provide medical care to foreign nationals in the mid-west as the first Polish medical centre in the region was launched in the city last weekend.

Polish Ambassador Dr Tadeusz Szumowski with his wife Mrs Szumewska and Dr Daria Wojnar and the Manager Director Jan Wojnar at the official opening of the Polish Medical Centre in John`s Street. Picture: Brendan Gleeson

Medipol, based at the corner of John’s Street and New Road (across from St John’s Hospital), was officially opened by Mayor Ger Fahy and Polish Ambassador, Dr Tadeusz Szumowski.

The centre will now offer a GP service along with cardiology, paediatrics, gynaecology, respiratory care and other services in the languages of English, Polish, Russian, Czech and Slovak.

It is now estimated that over 10,000 people from Poland are now living in Limerick.

Jan Wojnar, who founded Medipol with wife Dr Daria Wojnar, said that many people felt that they had to return to Poland for medical treatment because of communication problems.

“Since I came here two years ago, I saw that there were Polish shops, banks and other services but no medical services. Aside from the language barrier, our medical field is different in Poland. Poles can’t comprehend how one doctor can know everything. Clinics there have at least three doctors—a trinity of a GP, a paediatrician and a gynaecologist. Medipol is like this.”

“We would love to eventually provide more services and in the future, organise trips to some of the beautiful spas in Europe so people can get their medical treatment and have relaxation time as well.”

Mayor Ger Fahy welcomed the centre, which is one of many initiatives with the Polish diaspora including language classes and a mixed soccer team.

“Medipol shows how we can all work together and appreciate each other’s cultures. I want to commend everyone involved for setting up this necessary facility so that people are not intimidated by the language barrier,” said Mayor Fahy.

“Developments like this show that our Polish friends want to be part of the fabric of the city. We are interacting socially and culturally and this is the way forward. I hope that the centre sends out the message to other communities that we can all work towards integration; we all have a role to play.”

The Polish ambassador thanked the mayor and the population of Limerick for the hospitality they have shown the Polish people.

“While everyone loves to live in wealth, it is very important to have health. I know the service offered here will be a great benefit because it will be in the native languages of its patients.

“I want to thank the local authorities for their help and also to Pat O’Sullivan of the Irish-Polish Business and Cultural Association and his colleagues who have been good friends to us.”

He added that we are all now “living in a limited world” and part of a “European family”.

For more information on Medipol or appointments, phone (Rejestracja) 061-609777 or see www.medipol.ie.

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