Clinic sees steady flow at mid-week

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andrew Dumboski
  • Operation Lone Star Public Affairs
The Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School Medical Innovative Readiness Training Team Site (MIRTTS) continued with a steady flow of customers as it reached the half-way point in the first week of Operation Lone Star 2009.

At noon Wednesday, the MIRTTS was on track to continue their average of about 340 visitors daily over the first two days.

"We've had a good turnout so far this year," said Texas Human Health Services Public Information Officer Lupita Moreno. "We've had a lot of children coming in to receive physicals and immunizations to get ready for the new school year."

Workers in the pharmacy were also happy with the number of visits they've received. By noon, the Pharmacy had issued 37 prescriptions for the day, bringing their total for the week to 163, said State Guard 2nd Lt. Jack Clark, pharmacy technician.

"We've had a steady flow here," said State Guard Maj. Alvaro Liendo, pharmacist. "We've mostly been giving out medications to fight acid reflux, cold and cough, and infections."

The pharmacy doesn't carry diabetes or blood pressure medications, since the MIRTTS doesn't have a large enough supply to last customers until next year's Operation Lone Star, said Liendo.

"Those kind of medications are ones that the patient would need to take consistently for a longer time than what we can supply," continued Liendo.

The community's response to the team has been overwhelmingly positive, said Moreno.

"We even had one person who told me she had slept in the parking lot overnight just to be able to come in and receive dental care here," Moreno said. "For some people here who can't afford healthcare, this is the only medical care they receive for the entire year."

The MIRTT in Penitas is scheduled to be open through Friday, when the team will move to a new location near Laredo, Texas. For more information on Operation Lone Star, visit http://www.hhs.state.tx.us