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Honolulu free health clinic for uninsured is capable of treating patients statewide

Screenshot from Hawaii News Now of news reporter at Free Clinic
Source: Hawaii News Now

Honolulu, HAWAII — For people who may not qualify for Medicaid, there is now an alternative: a new, free clinic for people with no insurance during the pandemic.

The Aloha Free Clinic doesn’t officially open until Monday, but doctors started treating patients Friday morning.

“I’m just going to listen here,” said Dr. Jim Ireland, as he pressed a stethoscope against Ting Lin Li’s chest. She told him she’s been dealing with chest pain: nothing serious, just some acid reflux.

The problem is that her prescription is empty.

Li thought she had plenty to last the trip when she came to see her daughter on Oahu. But what was supposed to be a few weeks turned into months.

Travel restrictions now preventing the woman from going home to China.

“She really needs the medication as soon as possible,” said her daughter, Julia Chang. “So Dr. Ireland emailed us and said, you guys can come in today.”

The doctor squeezed in the appointment moments before a ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the new clinic, which has been funded completely through donations.

Over the next three months, hundreds of volunteer physicians will treat patients Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. until noon, then from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Kalihi Medical Building off King Street.

Their main focus is basic healthcare.

Read more at Hawaii News Now