Despite living near hospitals and clinics, some Mississippians are still unable to access needed care. As MPB's Alexis Ware reports the University of Mississippi Medical Center will bring healthcare directly to patients.
Some Jackson residents will soon have access to a clinic on wheels in their neighborhood. The new mobile clinic is an extension of the UNACARE Family Health Clinic, which has been in Jackson's low income Midtown neighborhood for nearly 20 years.
Dean of School of Nursing Dr. Kim Hoover says the clinic is an answer to people's mobility concerns.
"The nurse practitioners saw sometimes there was quite a high no show rate and ultimately they found out that even though there's care in the area people aren't able to get there because they don't have transportation."
The van includes an exam room and a reception area where two nurse practitioners will be aboard. One will see patients and one will register them. The clinic will be in operation two times a week and offer screenings, diagnoses and referrals.
Dr. Janet Harris of UMMC says the clinic will mainly offer screenings for chronic diseases.
"We will be doing a lot of screenings for height, weight, BMI, blood pressure, obesity of course and nurse practitioners do a lot of education with patients so in addition to screenings and referrals and education we can provide additional coaching and information about healthy lifestyle habits."
The clinic is scheduled to begin services this summer.
