Greater New Bedford Community Health Center participates in Occupational Health Surveillance Program
The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center has been selected as one of two Health Centers in Massachusetts to participate in the Occupational Health Surveillance program. By combining Public Health and Health Center objectives, individuals subjected to work related injuries and exposures can receive treatment for those conditions as well as receive primary care and a whole range of services.
The surveillance program involves collecting information on work-related injuries and illnesses, using the information to develop intervention and preventive programs, and educating workers, employers, and health care providers in occupational health problems in medically underserved communities. Workplace health conditions include asthma, needlesticks, musculoskeletal injuries, lead poisoning, burns, carbon monoxide poisoning, and occupational cancer.
The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center continues to explore funding sources to support these efforts.
The surveillance program at GNBCHC is under the direction of Ismail Nabeel, MD who is a member of the Infectious Disease team. Dr. Nabeel is Board certified in Internal Medicine and Occupational Medicine. He not only lectures on occupational health conditions at the Health Center but has also trained Park Service Rangers and volunteers in hazard communication during Summerfest. and has provided training for fishermen. He is a visiting scholar at Harvard School of Public Health. He has presented lectures to judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island on work related issues in HIV positive patients. Dr. Nabeel is a member of the Department of Public Health Advisory Board for Occupational Health Surveillance.