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Uninsured residents can receive free care


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POSTED: Friday, July 24, 2009
                       
This story has been corrected. See below.

Residents without health insurance can get free medical and dental services at Waimanalo Health Center and other places through Thursday in a program called “;E Malama Kakou,”; or “;to care for all.”;

The Hawaii Air National Guard, Waikiki Health Center, Waimanalo Health Center, Lanakila Pacific, state Department of Health and AlohaCare are sponsoring the program.

E Malama Kakou is part of a Hawaii Medical Innovative Readiness Training program to provide training essential for military medical units and personnel while “;acting as good neighbors at the local level,”; said a state Department of Defense news release.

Maj. Gen. Robert Lee, state adjutant general, said E Malama Kakou represents a federal, state and private collaboration “;to provide free health care services to medically under-served areas within the state.”;

E Malama Kakou has been held four times in the past year for residents along the North Shore, Waianae Coast and Ewa Plain.

Free services are available as follows through Thursday:

» The new “;Waimanalo Smiles!”; Dental Clinic at the Waimanalo Health Center is offering basic and preventative dental services. Those needing follow-up care and appointments will receive services based on the patient's ability to pay. Call 259-5466 to make an appointment and refer to the E Malama Kakou program.

» The Waikiki Health Center and Hawaii Air National Guard will host a health fair as part of the “;Once a Month Church”; from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Haleiwa Beach Park. General health, vision and dental screenings, sports physicals, health education classes and other services will be offered.

» Vision and general health screenings and consultations will be offered to seniors participating at Lanakila Pacific Kupuna Wellness Centers. Doctors, optometrists, nurses and other medical professionals will make house calls to some homebound seniors and to the Waikiki Health Center's Friendly Neighbors Clients, who depend on volunteer caregivers. Lanakila Meals on Wheels serves more than 1,700 meals a day to seniors, many of whom are homebound and have no access to regular medical care.

» Medical and behavioral health services will be provided to at-risk and troubled teens in partnership with the Waikiki Health Center's Youth Outreach Program. The center's Care-A-Van Program also will provide medical services to homeless through its mobile medical clinic.

For more information on E Malama Kakou or the free health and dental events, call 448-8302 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

               

     

 

CORRECTION

        » For more information about E Malama Kakou, e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). A story on Page 14 Friday had an incorrect e-mail address.