Kentucky Air National Guard provides free healthcare
Members of the Kentucky Air National Guard in the US are working with the Kentucky Department for Local Government (DLG) to offer free healthcare to residents in four Kentucky counties from 15 June.
Members of the Kentucky Air National Guard in the US are working with the Kentucky Department for Local Government (DLG) to offer free healthcare to residents in four Kentucky counties from 15 June.
‘Operation bobcat’ will see clinics opened in Beattyville, Booneville, Irvine and Jackson; they will be available on a first-come first-serve basis for all residents until 24 June. Patients will be offered medical screenings, non-emergency medical treatments, sports physicals, dental exams, cleanings, fillings and extractions, optical exams, and single-prescription eyeglasses.
“This programme allows our medical troops to conduct critical training and logistical movements that simulate a military medical response in the time of crisis, conflict or disaster,” explained Lt Col Amy Mundell, a Medical Administrative Officer in the Kentucky Air Guard’s 123rd Medical Group and the project’s officer-in-charge. “This kind of training helps hone our expeditionary skills so we’re ready to deploy at a moment’s notice to provide care anywhere in the world.”
The joint service mission will see the participation of 215 airmen and sailors from the Air National Guard, active-duty US Air Force, US Navy Reserve and active-duty US Navy. A similar service was provided in Western Kentucky in 2016, which treated 4,000 citizens, providing 13,000 medical, dental and optometry procedures, with an economic impact of $1.5 million. That team also provided 1,800 pairs of prescription eyeglasses and $20,000 worth of medications free of charge. “We’re very pleased to support a programme that gives our military healthcare troops essential training in field operations and logistics, keeping their skills sharp so they can be prepared to respond wherever they’re needed,” said DLG Commissioner Sandra K. Dunahoo added. “At the same time, the programme will be providing crucial services to citizens of the Commonwealth who may not have ready access to care. This is a win for everyone.”