The University of Hawaiʻi recently announced that approximately 200 homeless individuals have received free COVID-19 tests through the Hawaiʻi Homeless Outreach and Medical Education (H.O.M.E.) Project.
The H.O.M.E. Project is a John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) student-run free clinic staffed by volunteers. The project has been running since JABSOM launched the Tropical Medicine Clinical Laboratory (TMCL) last year to serve vulnerable populations throughout Oʻahu.
The program provides on-location testing events every Tuesday at the City and County of Honolulu’s Provisional Outdoor Screening and Triage (POST) facility located in Keʻehi Lagoon Beach Park.
“At the POST site, we test all new individuals entering the program and also do additional testing if there are any exposure concerns or if someone becomes symptomatic,” Jill Omori, associate professor and director of the H.O.M.E. Project, said. “The goal of the testing is to keep everyone safe, but also to provide tests so that they can transition into more stable housing options. It is very rewarding to be doing our part during the pandemic and to help these individuals, especially the kids.”
In addition to COVID-19 tests, UH medical students also provide free health services including medical, social and vision.