Data analysis by both State and City health departments shows that the COVID-19 virus disproportionately impacted Bronxites for a whole host of reasons, one of which was lack of access to healthcare, especially in low-income communities. On Friday, July 31, City Councilwoman for District 16, Vanessa Gibson, took a step towards addressing that disparity in the Morris Heights section of the Bronx.

 

“We are here at River Park Towers unveiling a new mobile health care clinic facility in partnership with Morris Heights Health Center, following a disturbing article that we read about in June that talked about the unconfirmed COVID cases here at the towers,” Gibson said.

 

The mobile healthcare facility will provide tenants of River Park Towers, housed at 20 Richman Plaza, with access to COVID-19 testing, as well as other primary healthcare services, but aside from the tenants of River Park Residences, residents of the Morris Heights area are also eligible to receive patient care at the facility.

 

Gibson explained that a major, contributing factor in the placement of the mobile unit in the area was the underlying health conditions of many of the Bronxites who lived there. The was also an urgent need not only to build a testing site for COVID, but to provide mental health services, and overall health services to that community.

 

She said that once the data became available, conversations were held in mid-June with both Morris Heights residents and with community leaders to find a way to bring a mobile unit to the area. Gibson said the plan was not just to bring a mobile unit, but to build a trailer in the area that would serve as an actual healthcare facility.

 

“Residents have been traumatized by COVID-19,” Gibson said, adding that what was needed was not just COVID-19 testing, but access to healthcare whether people had insurance or not, as well as mental health therapeutic services and trauma informed care.

 

According to the 2010 census, there are over 7,000 tenants living in the two River Park skyscrapers that overlook the Harlem River. As a part of the Mitchell-Lama housing program, River Park Towers provides affordable rental and cooperative housing to moderate and middle-income families in the West Bronx.

 

Gibson said the new mobile healthcare facility is adequately equipped to provide professional services to the residents in the area, once known as a COVID-19 hotspot in the City when coronavirus numbers spiked five months ago.

 

Referring to residents of the area who have been affected by the coronavirus, Gibson said, “They’ve lived in isolation. Some are suicidal, and they just don’t see a way out.” Indeed, the economic fallout has not helped matters either. “They have lost income; they’re falling behind in rent,” she added.

 

Gibson said the pandemic had turned everyone’s world upside down but at River Park Towers, with over 1,600 tight-knit units, living safely had always been a challenge. “Whether there are confirmed cases or not, [but] the health care needs have always been here,” she said, before expressing her optimism for the future about the new health care unit.

 

“If you live on Sedgwick, if you live on Cedar, you’re able to come here Monday to Friday, because we want to provide services and as of right now, we have a contract to be here through the end of October,” she said.

 

The councilwoman also said that if there was a need, she would talk to the City about additional funding to keep the mobile facility at the location, acknowledging that it was really important not only to identify short-term needs but long-term ones too. “It’s going to take a while to get out of the health disparities around heart disease and diabetes, and obesity, and high blood pressure that so many of our residents, particularly African-Americans and Latinos have,” she said, adding that older residents also encountered health disparities.

 

In addition to Gibson, other political representatives and officials spoke at the event, including Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner, Morris Heights Health Center executives, and the River Park management office.

 

Overall, it was clear from what was said that establishing the trust of the local residents, developing a good rapport with them, and breaking down certain barriers took a concerted group effort. Referring to Morris Heights Health Center, Gibson said, “They know their work.”

 

She added that there was now continuity of service, and she spoke to the positive aspects of the location as well. “They don’t have to travel; they will pass this facility every time they leave the development,” she said. “And that’s what we want to encourage – residents to use this facility to get access to health care, wraparound services for those that can’t get out.”

 

Gibson said that the provision of telehealth services in conjunction with BronxWorks was also a future goal. “We continue to be thankful to Morris Heights for their commitment, BronxWorks, Omni Reliant [Realty], the community board and everyone who really had a hand in today’s event,” she said.