For many people, access to basic healthcare is anything but simple. Whether it’s the cost of insurance, high deductibles or the expense of dental and vision care, too many people put off getting the help they need. But a free clinic in Bethlehem is making sure that care will be available at no cost.<\/p>\n
For the fourth year, Global Hope International in Bethlehem has hosted this event, in partnership with Remote Area Medical of Tennessee, which sets up the clinic and provides the medical care with the help of 200 volunteers.<\/p>\n
“Our intention really is to bridge the gap in medical care for those who are living under, where their wages don’t meet their needs or they don’t have health care or there is a gap in health care, ” says Monica Georges, Executive Director of Global Hope International, Inc.<\/p>\n
She says the people who come to the clinic are searching for medical care, but hope too.<\/p>\n
“They really are in desperate need of this care,” she said.<\/p>\n
Last year’s clinic treated nearly 300 patients and provided $220,000 in free medical care. And all the services are provided by volunteers, working from the heart.<\/p>\n
“It really is a community coming together to be able to meet the needs of our neighbors,” Georges said.<\/p>\n
The clinic will offer dental, vision, even glasses in 45 minutes, and other specialty health care. It will be at Northeast Middle School, 1170 Fernwood Street, in Bethlehem\u2026 The parking lot will open no later than midnight on Friday, October 30th, with clinic doors opening at 6 a.m. Saturday, October 31st. Organizers encourage patients to arrive as early as possible, especially those seeking dental care.<\/p>\n
“To guarantee being seen you definitely want to come early,” Georges said.<\/p>\n