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Public Health's new mobile clinic debuts at Yona outreach

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Saturday, October 11th 2025 at 20:31 GMT by Pacific Daily News
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The Guam Department of Public Health has inaugurated a new mobile clinic that will bring much-needed primary health services to the Yona community, a key step in expanding access to care for residents across the island. The mobile clinic, which first rolled out at the Yona Outreach Center on Tuesday, is part of a broader effort to bring health services to underserved areas and to address persistent health disparities among Guam’s diverse populations.

A Mobile Solution for a Diverse Island

Yona, a bustling municipality on the western side of Guam, has long been identified by public health officials as an area with limited access to convenient health services. Residents often travel hours to reach the nearest full-service clinic, a challenge that has been exacerbated by geographic isolation and limited transportation options. The new mobile clinic seeks to mitigate these barriers by offering primary care, preventive screenings, and health education right in the community.

“We recognized that distance and transportation are major obstacles for many of our residents,” said Dr. Maria Pangelinan, Director of Guam Public Health. “The mobile clinic is designed to bring care directly to the people who need it most. By bringing services to Yona, we can reduce missed appointments and improve health outcomes across the board.”

Services On Wheels

The mobile clinic, housed in a fully equipped van, is staffed by a team of dedicated health professionals. A registered nurse and a medical assistant run routine health checks, including blood pressure monitoring, weight and BMI assessments, and basic physical examinations. A pharmacist on board provides medication counseling and supplies for chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.

Preventive services offered at the clinic include influenza vaccinations, routine immunizations for children and adults, and screenings for common conditions. “We are offering flu shots, hepatitis B vaccinations, and rapid tests for COVID-19 and influenza, ensuring that residents have timely access to critical preventive care,” explained Nurse Lani Torres, the clinic’s nurse manager.

The clinic also focuses on chronic disease management. Screening for diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia will help identify at-risk individuals early. Follow‑up appointments and treatment plans are coordinated with local health facilities to ensure continuity of care. “It’s not just about the initial screening; it’s about building a pathway for ongoing management,” Torres added.

Community Partnerships

The mobile clinic’s partnership with the Yona Outreach Center underscores a collaborative approach to community health. Yona Outreach, a community development organization, has been active in providing social services, youth programs, and community health education. The mobile clinic will coordinate with outreach staff to identify individuals who might benefit from screenings and to conduct health education workshops.

“We’re excited to have the mobile clinic here because it complements the work we do at Yona Outreach,” said Dr. Angela Cruz, the outreach program director. “The clinic provides a tangible resource for our community, especially for the elderly and low‑income families who can’t always afford to travel to a full‑service clinic.”

Funding and Sustainability

The mobile clinic is funded through a combination of federal grants and the Guam Department of Public Health’s annual budget. The federal support comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) State Public Health Emergency Preparedness (SPEP) grant, which was specifically earmarked for mobile health outreach. The grant was supplemented by a $150,000 contribution from the Guam Health and Human Services Agency, ensuring the clinic’s operational sustainability over the next three years.

“The funding is a testament to the island’s commitment to equitable healthcare,” said Dr. Pangelinan. “By investing in mobile health, we are proactively addressing health inequities that have long plagued our communities.”

Operational Schedule

The mobile clinic will visit Yona every Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. During these windows, residents can walk into the clinic for routine care or scheduled appointments. The clinic will also coordinate home visits for elderly patients who cannot travel. For patients needing follow‑up, appointments at the Guam Department of Public Health’s main clinic or the nearby public hospital will be arranged.

Residents can find the mobile clinic’s schedule and service list on the Guam Department of Public Health website, which offers a convenient online portal for booking appointments and accessing health resources. The website also includes a calendar of upcoming health fairs and outreach events across the island, reinforcing the department’s commitment to community engagement.

A Vision for the Future

The launch of the mobile clinic in Yona marks a significant milestone in Guam’s public health strategy. Over the next year, the department plans to evaluate the clinic’s impact on health metrics such as immunization rates, chronic disease screening, and patient satisfaction. The goal is to refine services and eventually expand the mobile clinic fleet to cover additional districts such as Tamuning, Dededo, and Chalan Kanoa.

“We’re setting the stage for a more responsive, mobile‑centric approach to health care,” Dr. Pangelinan concluded. “By keeping our services on the road, we can better meet our residents where they live, learn, and work.”

The mobile clinic’s debut at Yona Outreach Center is more than a new service—it’s a statement of intent from Guam’s public health leaders to prioritize accessibility, equity, and preventive care for all island residents. As the van rolls through the streets of Yona, it carries with it a promise of healthier communities and a future where distance is no longer a barrier to quality health care.