NewYork-Presbyterian, an integrated academic medical centre, has opened a Mom & Baby Mobile Health Center in New York City, US.

This service aims to provide accessible healthcare to pregnant women and those of childbearing age in underserved communities across the region.

The new centre has been launched as part of a collaborative effort with March of Dimes and is claimed to be their first initiative of this kind in the tri-state area. 

It is staffed by a dedicated team from NewYork-Presbyterian.  

The mobile unit features two examination rooms and an intake and laboratory area equipped with refrigeration for medications, specimens and vaccines. 

It has been designed to offer essential pregnancy, post-birth, and general women's health care services directly to local women, irrespective of their insurance or immigration status.  

The services offered at this centre include obstetric care, well-woman exams, cervical cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) testing, vaccinations, breast exams, prenatal and postpartum care, contraceptive counselling, ultrasounds, and laboratory testing. 

The centre will also offer mental health screenings with referrals and newborn care education such as breastfeeding support. 

Patients who require further care will be scheduled for follow-up appointments at a medical facility.  

March of Dimes Maternal Infant Health for New York director Darcy Dreyer said: “March of Dimes is proud to assist families at every stage of the pregnancy journey, even when access to high-quality care is out of reach.  

“Our mobile health centres offer on-the-ground, maternal health programs with services aimed at bringing support, education and care to moms, moms-to-be and their families.” 

The Division of Community and Population Health at NewYork-Presbyterian is working with community-based organisations to ensure the mobile health unit reaches the women they serve.  

At present, the Mom and Baby Bus visits two shelters for unhoused women and families in Queens, managed by CAMBA, a non-profit agency, and there are plans to extend services to additional areas in Queens and Brooklyn, where there is a high incidence of late or no prenatal care.