COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) – The South Carolina Department of Public Health has launched three mobile health clinics, which they say will bring care directly to those who need it most.

SCDPH said their mobile health units are designed to go where traditional healthcare can’t. They’re hoping to reach as many South Carolinians with their new units as possible.

“We’re hoping that we can get as close to the people who need these services as possible, and in that way, make South Carolina a healthier place,” said Nick Davidson, SCDPH Director of Region Operations and Community Engagement.

He said the goal is to reach remote areas, small towns, or neighborhoods without easy access to clinics.

“The idea first came about during our covid response, as we saw that there were so many areas of the state that were, you know, so hard to reach,” Davidson added.

These clinics on wheels offer free vaccinations, family planning services, STD testing, and more.

T.K. Curtis-Pugh, from the South Carolina Nurses Association, said she thinks this is a great idea.

“We have currently 14 counties in our state that do not have any OB-GYNs, and we have additional five counties that only have one. So, these are basically hospitals on wheels.”

Davidson added they are committed to doing all they can to help South Carolinians.

“We want to make sure if people have needs for public health services, that they can get them and get them in the most convenient manner,” he said.
“We got to make sure that people still get the care that they need. And our state is really, really struggling in that space,” Curtis-Pugh said. “We’ve got to be able to fill those gaps, and this is one great way to be able to do that.”

Each unit is accessible for people with disabilities, and the SCDHP said it’s equipped with space to see more than one patient at a time,
DPH said at this point in time they do not have plans to make more than three, but it could be a possibility.

To book a unit for your event or your community click this.