The New Clark County mobile facility aims to increase access to public health services

There is a two-month wait for many appointments at the Clark County Combined Health District. But thanks to a new mobile health unit, officials hope wait times will soon be closer to two weeks.

The area’s new 40-foot mobile medical facility is part of Gov. Mike DeWine’s latest pledge of support for Springfield and Clark County.

The facility has two exam rooms and a 750-pound electric lift for people with mobility issues.

The project is part of the state’s allocation of $2.5 million to help Springfield adjust to the estimated 12,000 to 15,000 Haitians who have settled there.

The state also authorizes surplus personnel to assist facility staff. They will administer vaccines, basic health assessments and some maternal-infant care.

Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the Ohio Department of Health, said the immediate focus is on vaccine administration.

“Viruses like influenza, Covid, RSV, as well as other diseases that can spread very easily, like measles and whooping cough — when these contagious diseases occur because of a lack of vaccination, they can spread through communities very quickly, having a very negative effect. the impact on jobs, on learning environments, on entire communities, Vanderhoff said on Sept. 26 during the unveiling of “One Strike Can Prevent All This.”

Clark County Health Commissioner Chris Cook described the mobile medical facility as also a bridge for Springfield and Clark County residents, connecting people to more permanent health care providers. The facility will also offer basic health screenings.

“So oral health screenings, mental health screening, physical health measurement and seeing where you are age-wise and getting those vaccinations. Start meds for chronic conditions that you may have been ignoring for a minute,” he said. said.

For the next few weeks, this unit will be stationed outside the Clark County Combined Health District offices. After that, it will travel throughout the community.

Appointments can be made by calling the health department at (937) 390-5600 or scheduling online at ccchd.com.