Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Rita Maginnis participates in the 2017 KHS Fall Health Fair
More than 50 pounds of unused medication collected for safe disposal.
A total of 210 Kimball and area residents braved a couple of chilly Friday and Saturday mornings to participate in the 2017 Kimball Community Health Fair and Flu Clinic at Kimball Health Services.
A joint project between Kimball Health Services and Wyoming Health Fairs, the purpose of the semi-annual event is to promote health awareness and to encourage individuals to assume responsibility for their own health.
Friday's activities included a pharmaceutical take back event offered by the Kimball County Sheriff's Office, where more than 50 pounds of expired and unwanted pharmaceuticals were dropped off to help prevent improper usage or disposal. The medicines will be recycled to keep them out of the landfill, water system and people who they were not prescribed to.
"It's a great program because it helps reduce crime," said Sheriff Harry Gillway.
No questions were asked about where the pharmaceuticals came from. The goal was only to dispose of them in a safe and controlled manner. Gillway said his office would likely offer the service again at future health fairs.
In addition to a drive-though and walk-in flu clinic, this year's health fair also offered low-cost blood testing including checks for cholesterol, diabetes and men's prostate cancer. Free blood pressure checks, body fat analysis screenings and other tests were also available. Organizers said people can expect to see their test results in the mail within 10 to 12 business days.
KHS staff also administered 157 flu shots over the two day health fair. In addition, 183 vaccines were given over the last several days at Clean Harbors, FirsTier Bank, GRI and at the senior citizens centers in Kimball and Pine Bluffs.
"The community health fair and flu clinics are very important to the community here, and many commented on that very thing," said Pennie Anderson, Kimball Health Services Community Health Nurse. "There was very little waiting for either event, which made for happy participants."
