LA FERIA — Families and community members can walk into La Feria High School throughout the day for free medical services.
No identification is needed. However, attendees are encouraged to bring a list of medications they’re taking and children’s immunization cards.
The fast and quick medical services are part of the 20th annual Operation Lone Star.
The medical screenings are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
And over the past two days, more than 2,000 people have gone in for medical attention and social services between the six sites in the Valley.
The Brownsville location offers limited dental services, hearing and vision exams for prescription glasses.
Most residents waited less than 30 minutes to get their medical checkup in La Feria yesterday.
Attendees can receive free screenings for diabetes, blood pressure levels, hearing and vision. Sports physicals and immunizations for children are also available.
Operation Lone Star is coordinated by the Department of State Health Services.
“It is an emergency preparedness event that allows multiple agencies to coordinate and offer health services when disaster strikes,” said Veronica Ramirez Garcia, County Health Services public information officer. “This is a joint effort and we work with the military forces and volunteers from various schools.”
The real time drill allows the providers to practice patient flow and timing of medical services.
“You just come in and request the services,” Veronica said.
The doors open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and on Friday the event ends at 2 p.m. in La Feria.
Last year, Operation Lone Star health providers administered more than 40,000 public health services to more than 8,000 people in Cameron, Starr, Hidalgo and Webb counties.
“People recognize when there is a disaster they need to vaccinate or need medical attention. It’s easy to report at the schools since most people know where the schools are,” Veronica Ramirez Garcia said.
A couple waiting to get their immunization shots at Operation Lone Star located at La Feria High School. Free health screenings will continue until Friday afternoon.
Other Operation Lone Star locations in the Rio Grande Valley are:
➤ La Feria High School, 901 N. Canal St. in La Feria.
➤ Rivera Early College High School, 6955 FM 802 in Brownsville.
➤ PSJA High School, 805 West Ridge Road in San Juan
➤ Juarez-Lincoln High School, 7801 West Mile 7 Road in Mission
➤ Ac2E Magnet Elementary School, 1 South Fort Ringgold in Rio Grande City
➤ Jesus Martinez Performing Arts Complex, 2400 San Bernardo Ave. in Laredo.
Only the Brownsville and San Juan locations offer dental services and vision exams for prescriptions.
