The American College of Preventive Medicine held its annual conference in Washington this week and partnered with local agencies to host a three-hour medical outreach event at Columbus Circle, a place frequented by people experiencing homelessness.
(WTOP/Dick Uliano)
WTOP/Dick Uliano
(WTOP/Dick Uliano)
WTOP/Dick Uliano
(WTOP/Dick Uliano)
WTOP/Dick Uliano
(WTOP/Dick Uliano)
WTOP/Dick Uliano
The plaza outside a train station is an unusual place for patients to seek medical attention, but just that Wednesday afternoon, homeless people attended a healthcare street fair held at Columbus Circle outside Union Station in Washington, D.C. Dozens of people were lined up.
“People are getting HIV tests, blood pressure tests, blood sugar tests,” said Dr. Mirza Rahman, president of the American College of Preventive Medicine. “And to get people the care they need at various community health centers nearby.”
An expert group of board-certified physicians is holding its annual medical and public health leadership conference in Washington this week and partnered with local agencies to set up a three-hour medical assistance event in a plaza frequented by people experiencing homelessness. ing.
In addition to medical examinations, patients were treated for various illnesses and referred to specific clinics and facilities for follow-up treatment.
“Unfortunately, despite the Affordable Care Act, there is a tremendous need, and that need appears to be increasing. We can see that it has been affected,” Rahman said. “One of the sad historical accidents is that in America, health care is tied to employment.”
The volunteers who provided the care are from h3 Projects and Street Health DC, organizations accustomed to supporting the region's homeless population.
“We want to reach people where they are and overcome the barriers to getting to a clinic or hospital. …Here, in a familiar environment with outreach personnel, they can seek help.” The trend is strong,” said Ami Angel, founder and director of the H3 Project, a Washington, D.C., nonprofit that provides assistance to people experiencing homelessness and human trafficking. .
More than 100 people received some form of medical care on Wednesday. There were also education tables covering overdose and Narcan training, the Heimlich maneuver and CPR.
“One system doesn’t work for everyone. We have to think about what kind of funding we need and what kind of resources we need to make sure that everyone has access to health care. We have to,” said Dr. Toby Smith, founder and executive director of Street Health DC, a nonprofit that provides medical care to homeless people.
In addition to medical and education tables, an oversized chess set and games such as cornhole toss were set up. The fair also provided food to the hungry.
“Today we made pupusas for them…with coleslaw and applesauce, we're giving them a hot, healthy meal,” he said, serving breakfast and breakfast to about 200 people a day, five days a week, at the Western restaurant. said Marcus May, sous chef at Miriam's Kitchen, which serves dinner. Presbyterian Church.
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