NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A group of medical professionals is taking rapid COVID-19 tests to homeless encampments throughout Davidson County.
Neighborhood Health’s Street Medicine team drives a Jeep into the camps to diagnose coronavirus, but also to help meet other medical needs of the city's most vulnerable people.
Brian Haile, CEO of Neighborhood Health, said the organization realized the need after Metro opened their testing sites.
"There was no way to get there to the assessment center unless you had a vehicle," said Haile. "We simply didn't want people using public transportation. So, we approached United Healthcare and said, 'do you think you could be able to help us with a way to safely transport people who might need to get tested?'"
United Healthcare was one of the organizations responsible for funding the new Jeep. It's equipped with plexiglass dividers and has a removable roof for better airflow.
Neighborhood Health received $89,000 to buy and equip the Jeep, plus launch the program.
Suzy Sonnier, of United Healthcare, said they quickly learned the homeless population needed immediate test results. It would be difficult for people to receive their results in a few ways to contact them.
"It's such a transient population. Constantly moving," said Sonnier. "And so, this way they can identify the need and quickly be able to respond and get appropriate health care if needed."
So far, the Jeep has only given out a few of the COVID-19 tests. However, they expect to give out hundreds more in the coming month.
"We're having to go to these encampments to make sure people get these services," said Haile. "So, our street medicine team is actively going to every corner of the county where there are encampments and serving people making sure they have treatment for their chronic diseases and, where necessary, we can provide services related to COVID-19."
