Free Health Clinics to be Held in Ka`u June 4-12

A partnership between state health officials and the US Department of Defense will result in the holding of free medical clinics for the public next month in Ka`u.

With the help of 75 military reservists, Tropic Care 2013 will operate two clinics from June 4 through June 12, one at Ka`u High & Elementary School and the other at the Ocean View Community Center.

They will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., closing at noon on the final day.

Health care services that will be provided free of charge include physical examinations, dentistry, medication review and optometry, including both exams and glasses. Some medication will be provided as well as nutritional advice.

Patients will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis. The public should be aware that there may be long wait times.

Tropic Care 2013 is a partnership between the Department of Defense and the state Hawai’i District Health Office, supported by Hawaii County and the Ka`u Rural Health Community Association.

The clinics are an exercise of the DoD’s Innovative Readiness Training program, which challenges reservists to plan and implement rapid mobilizations to distant and unfamiliar areas.

“We thank the Department of Defense and all the reservists for coming to Hawaii Island and reaching out to our residents,” said Karen Teshima, executive assistant to Mayor Billy Kenoi. “This innovative program will benefit everyone involved, and will further our goal of keeping our community safe and healthy.”

Other community partners collaborating to bring this service to Ka’ū are the statei Department of Education, Ocean View Family Health Center, Hui Malama Ola Na ‘Oiwi, Bay Clinic, Hawaii Island Cardiovascular, Hawaii Island Community Lung Assessment Science Studies, Ocean View Community Association, Kona Community Hospital, the Hawaii Police Department, Hawaii National Guard’s Youth Challenge Academy, Ka`u Hospital, Pacific Quest and the Veteran’s Administration.

“This is an opportunity to bring needed medical, dental and vision services to the district of Ka‘ū,” said Aaron Ueno, the Department of Health’s district health officer for the Big Island. “These services are open to the entire island and we are hoping to do this again in the future with community support.”

For more information on Tropic Care 2013, or to request special assistance or an auxiliary aid (seven days prior to the event), call (808) 974-6035 or email Martha Yamada of the Public Health Nursing Section at martha.yamada@doh.hawaii.gov.