The Mississippi State Department of Health is proud to announce a new program, Transportation to Health, which addresses transportation barriers in both rural and urban areas.
Organizers say the program will help people get the help they need and at the same time, move Mississippi in the right direction, and that’s toward local health departments.
“Improving and protecting the health of all Mississippians is the mission of our agency,” State Health Officer Dr. Daniel Edney said in a release. “This new program will assist us in achieving the mission. Creating access to health care is always the best choice.”
Starting Wednesday, the new demonstration program will provide patient transportation to and from county health departments and offices for health services. Patients will have the opportunity to pick up prescriptions from their appointments at partnering pharmacies.
“Transportation to Health can eliminate delayed or missed appointments by the most vulnerable people in Mississippi,” said Victor D. Sutton, MSDH Chief of Community Health and Clinical Services. “With Mississippi being a rural state, this initiative will also allow the opportunity for community and economic development by creating jobs. Uber will support MSDH in creating a plan to support driver availability within the program service area,” he said.
If you’d like transportation to a new or existing appointment, please contact the MSDH call center at 855-767-0170. The Office of Health Equity will send an Uber ride at no cost to the patient.
