Pediatric clinic on wheels brings health care to vulnerable Montreal families

A new non-profit pediatric clinic called DocTocToc is driving into Montreal communities to provide medical care to young children who don’t have a doctor.

“DocTocToc” is a pediatric clinic on wheels that rolls into communities in need of care.

It’s run by a non-profit, and aims to help children who don’t have a doctor.

On Wednesday, the big colourful bus was parked in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough.

The DocTocToc bus has an office, examining room, bathroom and seating area.

It welcomes patients five years old and younger, bringing care into the community means easier access to health care.

Dr. Rislaine Benkelfat is the co-founder and president of the new clinic and, as a pediatrician, knows early intervention is very important.

“To evaluate the need of the families and support them and offer them the navigation they need,” he said.

Without an appointment or even a medicare card, families meet a social worker and a nurse on the spot, who will also follow up with patients.

Benkelfat explains, “They evaluate [whether] we have to refer this family and help them through the referrals.”

Many of the patients are new Canadians who are not always aware of channels they need to go through to get healthcare.

The DocTocToc team partners with local community organizations like Pause Famille in Ahuntsic to make sure the people who need care get it.

Laila Khattabi of Pause Famille says that for many vulnerable families in the area, this service is a lifesaver.

Benkelfat says hundreds of young patients have been helped already this summer.

“We’ve had an excellent response and we hope that it’s going to continue.”