For almost 20 years now, residents of the Rio Grande Valley have come to rely on the free medical care provided during Operation Lone Star. The medical personnel see more than 1,000 people daily. For some, this annual emergency preparedness exercise is their only opportunity to see a physician. In Rio Grande City, clinics will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday, July 23, through Thursday, July 26, and from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 27, at AC2 Magnet Elementary campus located within Fort Ringgold. For more information, residents are encouraged to call the local health department or dial 2-1-1. During the operation, people in need are encouraged to take advantage of services offered including immunizations for children, diabetic screening, sports physicals, blood pressure screening, hearing and vision screenings, and preventive dental services for school-age children. Operation Lone Star is a cooperative effort among DSHS and other health and human services agencies, Texas Military Forces, local health departments and community volunteers as well as medical staff from around the country. “Operation Lone Star is a chance for people to get good, basic health care and learn what they can do to help prevent future health problems,” Dr. David Lakey, DSHS commissioner said in a public statement. “For some, this is the only opportunity all year to see a doctor.”
