By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
Wood County Health Department is ready to take to the roads with its new mobile health center.
The mobile unit, which was purchased with federal COVID funds, will kick off its first year of operations with a series of educational and engagement activities for the public.
The mobile health center will be traveling throughout the county visiting festivals, fairs, senior centers and schools to introduce the public to the available services, explained Pat Snyder, director of health promotion and preparedness at the health department.
“We will be doing infectious disease prevention activities like screenings for flu, COVID and RSV. We will also offer vaccinations and talk about the risks for respiratory illnesses,” Snyder said.
“The first year (of operation), which is funded through the grant, will help us build the services,” she said.
Eventually, the health department will expand to take the Community Health Center’s services on the road. Based on community needs, the health department and its community health center could provide services such as dental care, behavioral health visits and primary health care and enable the mobile unit to pay for itself beyond the first year of funding.
The vehicle would take services to people who may not be able to access them in Bowling Green, but it would not replace the brick-and-mortar health center, which is part of the Wood County Health Department.
At a previous health board meeting, it was mentioned that more residents in the county would be made aware of the health center services and possibly result in more patients at the Gypsy Lane Road facility.
Two or three staff members will travel with the unit, which includes a private examination area with a chair that expands to a bed, storage, and refrigerator. A waiting area, at the front of the vehicle behind the driver’s seat, will be used to check vitals and get patients ready for care.
The health department will partner with Children’s Resource Center on Sept. 6 for a vaccination event using the mobile health center. “We will have the unit there to show off, talk to people and educate them about the services,” Snyder said.
And in October, the mobile unit will piggyback with the Wood County District Public Library’s bookmobile schedule, visiting communities together.
“The library is super excited for the partnership and talked about developing activities related to health for the visits,” Snyder said. “It’s really nice synergy.”
