(Posted May 12, 2017)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Later this summer, London will be the site for a free healthcare event open to all Ohio residents.
Each year, the Ohio National Guard sponsors “Guard Care,” an event that provides basic healthcare screenings and procedures at no cost to individuals of all ages. No insurance or identification is required.
Madison County’s Guard Care day is set for 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 5 at the fairgrounds, 205 Elm St., London. Services offered will include physicals, school sports physicals, immunizations, mammograms, women’s health services, bloodwork, EKGs, HIV screenings, and vision, hearing and dental screenings, among other services.
The National Guard is bringing in approximately 100 members of its medical personnel to staff the event. The Ohio Department of Health, Madison County Public Health, Madison Health, and Rocking Horse Community Health Center are providing additional support. Students from the Chamberlain College of Nursing out of Columbus will be on hand to observe and possibly assist with certain procedures.
The event serves two purposes, said Chris Cook, Madison County’s health commissioner. It provides individuals with instant, no-strings-attached, free access to healthcare, and it provides information about local resources that could help individuals with their health in the long term.
“All county agencies have been invited to have booths as part of a resource fair we’re holding at the same time,” Cook said.
The Aug. 5 event also includes a drug take-back coordinated by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Individuals are encouraged to bring their unneeded and expired medications to the fairgrounds for disposal.
For more information about Madison County’s Guard Care day, call Madison County Public Health at (740) 852-3065.
