No-cost healthcare at five RGV sites during Operation Border Health Preparedness

No-cost health clinics will be available for residents of South Texas during next week’s Operation Border Health Preparedness, an exercise conducted annually by the Texas Department of State Health Services and its partners to prepare for public health emergencies and disasters. Now in its 24^th year, OBHP will operate five sites July 24-28. The complete list of locations and hours is below.

“Operation Border Health Preparedness allows DSHS and its partners to develop and refine their emergency response actions while also providing no-cost healthcare options for many South Texas residents who may face challenges receiving health care,” said DSHS Commissioner Jennifer Shuford, MD, MPH. “For some residents, this may be their only time to visit with a doctor this year.”

During this joint disaster preparedness exercise, DSHS and its local government and non-profit partners will practice standing up and operating health clinics that may be needed during a disaster or public health emergency. In 2022, the exercise provided 30,031 health services to just under 6,400 patients.

This year, OBHP services will include immunizations for children and adults, medical exams, sports physicals for students, health and diabetes screenings, dental and vision exams, and prescription glasses from a mobile lab. The Raymondville site in Willacy County will also have limited veterinary services. Services vary from location to location, so the public can visit dshs.texas.gov/obhp2023 or call 2-1-1 to confirm which services are offered at a specific location.

DSHS partners at OBHP this year are the Texas Military Department, Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps, City of Laredo Health Department, Cameron County Public Health, Hidalgo County Health & Human Services, UTRGV Medical School, Texas A&M University, local nursing schools and other nonprofit groups.

LOCATIONS

Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Brownsville: BISD Central Administration Bldg., 708 Palm Blvd.

Laredo: Louis J. Christen Middle School, 2001 Santa Maria Ave.

Raymondville: Raymondville High School, 601 FM 3168

Rio Grande City: Veterans Middle School, 2700 W. Eisenhower Rd.

San Juan: PSJA Early College High School, 805 W. Ridge Rd.

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(News Media Contact: pressofficer@dshs.texas.gov)