We’ve been accustomed to having multiple clinics available, even having clinics expand to village community centers with the Department of Public Health performing outreach to the homeless in the mist of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the island worked to contain the disease through vaccinations and adopting more sanitary habits, we’re slowly seeing these clinics close operations.
On Wednesday, a group of doctors, nurses and pharmacists asked the village mayors to help host outreach events on chronic disease self-care.
Registered pharmacist Karen Song spoke at the recent Mayors’ Council of Guam meeting about the Guam Healthcare Providers Community Outreach Project. Different health care professionals across the island would organize health screenings and educate people about self-managing chronic conditions. Song asked village mayors to help by providing community centers to house these events.
Although the threat of COVID-19 infection has been minimized, problems caused by the pandemic remain.
Along with the rest of the world, Guam is feeling the effects of rising costs in grocery stores, rent, gas and utilities.
Families and other residents are finding ways to conserve energy, budget money and sometimes cut back on things like health insurance and regular check-ups.
At this point, we can’t take the idea of mobile clinics for granted, especially in the middle of flu season. They will serve a great purpose to the villages as they keep residents healthy without hurting the wallet.
They can also greatly assist our manamko’ and those living with disabilities, many who may not be able to make the trip to a clinic. These mobile clinics help provide the health care needed for the members of the working community working to make ends meet.
Village mayors should recognize the benefits to residents provided by mobile medical clinics.
The medical professionals are asking for a public area to host these clinics, an available place that’s easily accessible and will be able to help cater to all.
Village mayors should be able to help provide the space. They need to organize and work with the Guam Healthcare Providers Community to coordinate an outreach that will keep the community safe.
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