MEDIA RELEASE
Next week, the Army, Air Reserves, and National Guard will provide free medical services to residents in rural areas of Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and on Hawaii Island in Ka‘u and Ocean View through a joint venture called “Tropic Care.â€
Gabbard received a briefing this week on the program from Air Force Reserves Colonel Jerry Arends during her tour of Lanai.
Between June 2-14, nearly 150 service members from more than 25 different states in the military’s “Innovative Readiness Training Unit†will be in Hawaii to deliver free dental services, including exams, treatments, and extractions to residents in some of the most rural areas of the state.
The troops will also be offering free eye exams and providing eye glasses to those who need them.
“Access to quality health care can be a challenge for those in our rural and underserved communities,†Gabbard said. “After visiting with the great team of providers at Lanai Community Health Center and Lanai Community Hospital yesterday, I know everyone appreciates the extra help being offered at no cost thanks to the Army, Air Reserves, and the National Guard.â€
In addition to medical services, residents living “off the grid†and using a generator for power will have access to service members specializing in mechanics, who will work on any systems that need attention.
For more information about Tropic Care, contact Colonel Jerry Arends at (701) 566-1932.
I absolutely love to see this. I’ve always been a fan of the reserve forcesbeing involved in programs like this. Way to go Hawai’i !! Imua !!