~ Meet Dr. Tasika Bell ~
Born and raised here, Dr. Tasika Bell has returned to her roots and opened her very own clinic in Cole Bay. Before making the final move back, Tasika visited many times through the years filling in for several family practices both here and on Aruba. She is contracted with SZV since March 1, and patients have the choice now to pick her name from the list.
Tasika studied at Maastricht University, and became a “Basis Arts” (Medical Doctor). She then specialized in “Huis Arts” (Family Medicine) at Leiden University. She also has special training in Geriatric Medicine in a primary care setting.
Although she looks quite young, don’t be fooled, Tasika has been a doctor for 15 years already, with the last eight being in Family Medicine, spending three of those years practicing Family Medicine in the Netherlands. In 2002, she worked here on Sint Maarten as a General Doctor at St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC).
She has returned to St. Maarten and opened the clinic on her own. When I asked why she decided to go on her own, she explained, “Family Medicine is something you can do on your own, and that worked out for me.” Tasika also explained that she is of course open to working within the medical profession.
She names among her personal strengths, personal communication with patients because “I think having grown up here, I can identify with patients’ experiences.”
“A family physician is somebody who can provide information and somebody you can confide in and should be a good listener, should also be able to educate a person on what they are dealing with, what they have. The social aspect is much greater than that with a Hospitalized Specialisation. The Family Physician tends to see a client over a longer span of time and even other family members as well.”
Tasika also mentions that a Family Physician does not only see you for physical problems, but also for psychological and social problems as well. “One of my main goals is to educate people on health and misconceptions about health here on the island.”
At his point, I was wondering what makes a Family Doctor different from a regular doctor or General Practitioner, she explained that being specialized in Family Medicine in The Netherlands means that you must follow an extra three years study in Family Medicine, which is different to an American General Practitioner, and not the same as British and British-Caribbean General Practitioners.
“A Family Doctor may not have all the answers but can point you to the right direction in the forms of recommending the right specialists for your particular condition,” adds Tasika.
At Tasika’s clinic, Soualiga Medical Practice, everyone is welcome!
~In Box~
Services offered
-General health & ailments
-Screening and prevention
-Cardiovascular disease risk management (prevention)
-Chronic disorders
-Medical physicals
-Psychological & social consultations
-Geriatric healthcare (elderly)
-Gynaecological examinations
-Selected orthopaedic injections
-Doppler ankle-brachial index (detection of poor circulation)
-Minor ambulatory procedures
-Ear irrigation
~End Box~
Soualiga Medical Practice is located at Diamond Drive #1, Cole Bay. Please call 544-4515.
Opening hours are 8:00am-12:00 noon for walk-in consultations on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Appointments are 8:00am-12:00 noon on Wednesdays, 2:00-4:00pm Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
*Medical emergencies are also welcome. *Calling or walking-in for an appointment on the same day is possible. CLOSED from 12:00 noon (in case of medical emergency (12:00-5:00pm) call 554-4751) on Wednesday and Friday afternoon! After 5:00pm and on weekends, consult SMMC Emergency Room in case of a medical emergency. Call 543-1111 ext. 9.
