Mobile clinic brings affirming care to campus

PRISMA Health is making health care more accessible through its Mobile Health Clinic on the Claflin campus, offering a wide range of treatments and preventive services in a convenient, welcoming setting.

The mobile health unit was stationed on campus on Jan. 29 in the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Center parking lot, allowing students to receive care without the added burden of transportation or scheduling challenges. Scheduled dates and times were shared to encourage student participation and awareness.

Senior mass communications major Jarrett Matthews spoke about how the mobile clinic helps reduce barriers to health care.

The clinic “created a safe environment to ask questions about sex that I, a Black male of the LGBTQ+ community, was too afraid to ask at home,” Matthews said, stressing that affirming health care remains essential amid today’s social and political climate.

“There are huge corporations and politicians that believe sexuality is a choice and believe that it can be controlled by taking away our rights to medical decisions like PrEP,” Matthews said.

Matthews said he felt affirmed and supported during his visit, describing the staff as welcoming and kind. He also noted that music playing in the background helped calm nervous first-time visitors, contributing to a supportive and reassuring environment.

Matthews offered advice to students who may feel anxious about visiting the clinic or testing for the first time.

“Remember to breathe, remember that these people are here to help, and remember this is for your future — your healthy self,” he said.

Prisma Health offers the clinics to all students regardless of ability to pay. Service is first-come, first-served. A student ID is required.

Conditions treated range from influenza to diabetes and cuts and bruises. Sports physicals are offered, as are tests for sexually transmitted diseases.

The next clinic outside of JTK will be Feb. 12.

For more information, call 803.535.5502 or email nurseeducator@clafln.edu