At a Wednesday hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that after speaking to medical leaders from the East Liverpool City Hospital, the temporary health clinic in East Palestine is becoming a permanent clinic for the community.
“This is a long term commitment to the health of the people of East Palestine,” DeWine said.
Last month, the Ohio Department of Health announced the opening of a temporary clinic to assist those harmed by the toxic chemicals from the Norfolk Southern train derailment. The Ohio Department of Health initially said that it intended to have the clinic open at least through March 4th.
However, they have continued to keep the clinic open due to the growing number of reports of health concerns from residents following the derailment. Some residents said medical professionals have diagnosed them with bronchitis, lung issues, and rashes that doctors and nurses suspect as a link to the chemical exposure.
According to DeWine, it’s important that residents have a place where they can have their health assessed in the coming years.
“They are worried about their future. They are worried about where things are going to be in five or ten or fifteen years. It’s important that they can continue to get assessed,” DeWine said.
DeWine noted that this permanent health clinic will also be there to serve and treat the first responders who responded to the February 3rd derailment.
DeWine said that he talked to the East Palestine Fire Chief Keith Drabick earlier this week who is “very concerned” about the health of the three hundred responders not just from East Palestine but from all the areas into Pennsylvania who responded to the derailment.
“They all need to be assessed there needs to be established a baseline and they need to be assured that in five or ten years there is still a place where they could go,” DeWine said.
DeWine stated that the permanent clinic will provide comprehensive care and treatment. Anyone can walk into and get treatment at the full-service clinic.
Currently, the Ohio Department of Health indicates that the temporary East Palestine clinic conducts vital signs, medical exams, and consultations with mental health specialists and toxicologists.
Individuals have complained that the current facility falls short because it does not provide blood tests or other types of health exams.
DeWine said that the new permanent clinic will encompass the same services as the current emergency clinic, but will also provide traditional comprehensive primary care, including treatment, prescriptions, lab testing, and consultation with specialists where appropriate. Physicians, registered nurses, and mental health specialists will be on hand to provide services.
According to DeWine, the state will provide funding to make sure that the clinic remains open and free to the residents of East Palestine.
The clinic will transition to a new undetermined permanent location the week of April 10th.
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Hannah Poling is a lead reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahPoling1. Email tips to [email protected]
