Free medical services are being offered throughout the Rio Grande Valley this week by the Texas Department of State Health Services and its partners in an effort to prepare for disasters and public health emergencies.
Services being provided include medical exams, immunizations for children and adults, sports physicals for students, health and diabetes screenings, dental and vision exams, a release from DSHS said, as well as limited veterinary services at a site in Raymondville.
Services vary based on location, and more information on specific services being offered at specific locations is available at dshs.texas.gov/obhp2022 or by calling 2-1-1.
“Operation Border Health Preparedness is a joint disaster preparedness exercise providing state and local government and nonprofit partners an opportunity to practice setting up and operating health clinics that may be needed in the case of a public health emergency,” the release reads. “In 2021, the exercise provided 21,062 health services to 4,756 patients.”
Organizations participating in the program include the Texas Military Department, Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps, Cameron County Public Health, Hidalgo County Health & Human Services, City of Laredo Health Department, UTRGV Medical School, Texas A&M University, local nursing schools and other nonprofit groups.
State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa released a statement commending the program.
“Operation Border Health Preparedness is a great example of a smart policy that not only ensures we are prepared for future public health crises, but also provides an immediate public benefit in the process. Just last year, these clinics provided over 21,000 health services to nearly 5,000 people,” he wrote. “Healthcare is a critical need for South Texas residents, and I hope every resident needing these services goes to one of these clinics to get this free care.”
Operation Border Health Preparedness
Friday, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
>> Brownsville: James Pace Early College High School, 314 W. Los Ebanos Blvd.
>> Harlingen: Harlingen School of Health Professions, 2302 N. 21st St.
>> Raymondville: Raymondville High School, 601 F.M. 3168
>> Rio Grande City: AC2E Elementary School, 1 S. Fort Ringgold St.
Friday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
>> San Juan: PSJA Early College High School, 805 W. Ridge Road
