OKC City Council Approves Plan To Purchase Mobile Health Clinics For OCCHD

Oklahoma City's City Council approved a mobile health clinic plan to buy two RV-style mobile health clinics for both screening and vaccinations.

The Oklahoma City-County Health Department will be using part of $5 million in federal COVID-19 funding to buy those moving clinics.

They said the pandemic highlighted the need for healthcare to be more reachable for the community.

The RVs will have a closed-door exam room, bathroom and space for private counseling. There will also be commercial grade heating and air conditioning for infection control.

"We figured out that we had zip codes where only half the people have transportation," said Phil Maytubby, Chief Operating Officer at Oklahoma City-County Health Department. "So at this point we need to have the ability to take services to the people." 

Officials said the mobile clinics will be able to be used for both clinical and non-clinical application. Patients will be able to get tested and vaccinated for COVID-19, but they will also be able to use the clinics for other health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, and more. 

The OCCHD is also planning on using the rest of the federal funding to build a drive thru vaccination site in southwest Oklahoma city.

They said it will be near Southwest 59th and May Avenue, an area they said is specifically underserved.

The health department said they plan on buying the RVs in the first quarter of 2022.

They'll also use funding to enhance testing, tracing and vaccination resources in Oklahoma County.