February 4, 2019
One of the goals of the new mobile health unit, scheduled to launch this spring, is to increase immunization rates in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
Story by Logan Clow
Residents living in rural areas within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo will soon be able to access more comprehensive health services closer to home.
Alberta Health Services’ (AHS) North Zone Population and Public Health team have received funding to launch a mobile health unit. The unit will be outfitted to add capacity in oral health, community health, sexually-transmitted-infection testing, immunizations, infant/child wellness and health promotion activities in rural communities.
“By outfitting this mobile unit with an array of healthcare equipment, tools and resources, our AHS healthcare providers will be able to travel to rural and remote communities to directly provide residents with the care and services that they need,” says Jennifer Splaine, Area Manager, Population and Public Health.
“Some residents in our region are unable to access healthcare services for a variety of reasons. The mobile health unit will ensure these residents can access healthcare services without having to leave their home community.”
The mobile unit, slated to go into service this spring, will offer a variety of services, including: HPV immunization, immunizations, oral cancer screening, prostate cancer screening, a dental suite, cervical cancer screening (when clinic space is not available), Early Childhood Intervention Program assessments, and health promotion education/resources (i.e. an iPad to access reliable health information, and a UV camera to promote sun awareness).
In the meantime, work is underway to prepare the mobile unit for operation. This includes retrofitting equipment, rebranding and finalizing other minor logistics (i.e. an operating schedule). Once operational, the mobile unit will have space for a driver and one passenger.
“One of our priorities with the mobile unit is to increase immunization and cancer screening rates in our area, and see decreases in injury prevention rates, as we get out around the region,” adds Splaine.
“While we still have some minor logistical components to finalize, residents should expect to see the mobile unit set up at local community events this spring and summer. We’ll have resources and information about disease prevention, sun safety, injury prevention and much more.”
The mobile health unit is made possible through a generous donation from the Suncor Energy Foundation to the Northern Lights Health Foundation (NLHF). The NLHF received $110,000 from Suncor which was used to purchase and outfit the mobile unit for AHS North Zone Population and Public Health Team.
“We sincerely thank the Northern Lights Health Foundation and Suncor Energy Foundation for their commitment to healthcare in the region. We look forward to continue working together to improve care in our communities. This mobile unit will be a great benefit to the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo,” says Splaine.
Cindy Amerongen, NLHF Executive Director, adds: “We’re extremely grateful for Suncor Energy Foundation’s thoughtful donation to the Northern Lights Health Foundation. By working together, we’re able to support Alberta Health Services in providing increased access to excellent healthcare in the region. We’re excited to see the positive impact the mobile health unit will have.”
Through the mobile health unit, the AHS Population and Public Health team will partner with other AHS departments, including the Addiction and Mental Health team and Fort McMurray Wellness team, as well as the Primary Care Network, and First Nation, Metis and Inuit (FMNI) organizations and representatives.
More information about the mobile health unit, and how communities can access it, will be released closer to its launch.
