Turnout low at this year’s Flying Doctors Health Fair

Families without health insurance had their medical needs addressed Saturday at the Flying Doctors Health Fair in Thermal. The clinic has been held annually in the Coachella Valley for more than two decades. But this year organizers said the turnout was significantly less than previous years. The event normally bringing in more than a thousand patients.

“I believe there’s several factors, the first being our political climate, of course, has instilled some fear, some uncertainty, and the community was a little hesitant. But we’ve built a good relationship with the community. They know the schools are a safe place,” event coordinator Lucy Moreno said.

While the numbers might not match previous years, hundreds of families turned out for much needed care. Maria Manzano said concern about her vision is what brought her to the event.

“I came out mainly for my vision. I don’t have health insurance so I needed to try and see if I can get glasses and they had me see the doctor as well,” Manzano said.

She said after watching her father’s health decline she decided to make hers a priority. But doing so is hard without insurance.

“It’s very stressful because sometimes I don’t know if I’m going to wake up tomorrow. And it’s very expensive to buy health insurance,” Manzano said.

Organizations throughout the Coachella Valley coming together once again to help improve the lives of our community. IMAHelps works primarily in other countries like Peru, Nicaragua and Paraguay

“We’re bringing the doctors, internal medicine. Hopefully in the next years we’ll bring more specialty groups,” President Ines Allen said.

Allen said her organization sees a lot of similarities here in the valley.

“Very much the same. I mean the need here is so great. So I think if we can help, we’ve been here for three years now,” Allen said.

Manzano is one of many getting important care for free. She said she’s grateful to know there are people who can help her get healthy.