Knock, knock. Who’s there? It’s DocTocToc, an innovative new mobile health clinic that will soon hit the road to provide care to vulnerable young children and families in Montreal.
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The DocTocToc mobile clinic will begin serving children aged 0-5 in the northern boroughs of Montreal in March. The clinic will offer a range of services including basic nursing care, psychosocial support, and navigation assistance to help families access the full continuum of care.
Pfizer Canada is committed to advancing health equity and ensuring all Canadians have access to the care and resources they need to live their healthiest lives and is proud to be one of the organizations that is supporting this initiative as it launches.
DocTocToc is a labour of love brought to life by Dr. Rislaine Benkelfat, a pediatrician at the Montreal Children's Hospital, and her colleague Jean-Philippe Couture - an actuary by training whom she met while studying for her MBA at HEC Montréal. Recognizing the barriers many families face in accessing essential healthcare services, they envisioned transforming a bus into a mobile clinic that could bring high-quality, compassionate care directly to the neighborhoods that need it most.
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The organization's dream is to change the statistics and give all children the same opportunities to develop to their full potential. “The change will come about through a reversal of responsibilities. Rather than asking families to approach the institutions, to approach the network, it will be up to us to go out to meet them,” says Dr. Benkelfat.
For the co-founder, it is essential DocTocToc work on the social determinants of health. “Since living conditions are an integral part of the equation for achieving the best possible state of health, it is only natural to want to get closer to the environments in which these families live and to do so through strong partnerships with local community organizations.”
"At Pfizer, we believe that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of their circumstances," said An Van Gerven, President, Pfizer Canada. "We're proud to support DocTocToc's mission of breaking down barriers and bringing vital services directly to vulnerable children and families in the Montreal community."
The launch of DocTocToc is a testament to the power of cross-sector collaboration. In addition to Pfizer Canada, the initiative has garnered support from The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation, McGill University, and numerous other private-sector organizations and community partners. By working together, they are creating a future where all children have the chance to grow up healthy, strong, and full of potential.
As DocTocToc hits the road, Pfizer Canada remains committed to supporting innovative, community-driven solutions that advance health equity and improve outcomes for underserved populations. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this mobile clinic will have on the lives of children and families in Montreal.
To learn more about DocTocToc, visit www.doctoctoc.ca.