For over 20 years Knoxville, Tennessee based Remote Area Medical (RAM) has been providing medical, dental and vision care to people in isolated parts of Central and South America. They have since transitioned to provide care in the US as well, and now 60% of their services are performed here. Their primary focus was originally on rural areas where people had little to no access to medical care. This changed on Tuesday when RAM opened its first traveling health clinic in a major urban area, Los Angeles. While they have done expeditions in urban areas before, RAM has never set out on an expedition of this size in such a densely populated area.
The organization is offering free medical, dental and vision care to thousands of Angelinos over the next week at the former home of the Lakers, the Forum, in Inglewood. The services provided include physicals, pap smears, mammograms, chest x-rays, teeth cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions, and prescription eye glasses. No proof of income or insurance is necessary. The only thing a person needs is a little patience as the lines have been long. Hundreds of people have camped out on the streets and in parking lots in order to be able to queue up as soon as the gates open before dawn each morning. All services are provided by volunteer medical professions from the greater Los Angeles area. RAM will be in Inglewood everyday through Tuesday, August 18.
Remote Area Medical at the Forum in Inglewood, CA
To find a community clinic near you, please visit the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County’s website.
