VICTORIA – Telus announced Thursday the launch of a second mobile health clinic in Victoria.
The mobile health clinic, in partnership with the Victoria Cool Aid Society, is supposed to address the “increasing need for primary health care and provide support for people experiencing homelessness in the capital region,” a press release said.
Those services include routine testing, contraception, women’s health services, STI treatment, harm reduction services, and mental health care and counseling, the release said.
The existing mobile clinic, which serves 25 locations on a bi-weekly rotational basis, has “enabled more than 14,000 patient encounters from citizens throughout the greater Victoria area,” the release added.
The newest addition is expected to double patient capacity, Telus said, “providing much needed services to the over 1,500 individuals experiencing homelessness on any given night in Victoria. It will also benefit community partners like the Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness society, the release said.
“Our new Cool Aid Mobile Health Clinic will expand the program’s reach and service offerings to provide support for sex workers and referrals for dental and physiotherapy services,” the release said. “With the help of local partners, it will also dedicate one day each week to assisting Indigenous community members.”
The initiative is part of the Telus Health for Good program and leverages partnerships with the Victoria Foundation, Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group, The Jawl Foundation and Times Colonist.
