By KRISTIN HOGANS

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — The G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson, is hosting a free health fair in July. Representatives from the VA Clinic will visit all VA Outpatient Clinics in the state, stopping at Natchez’s VA Outpatient Clinic on July 20.

The clinic will provide various medical services including, audiology screenings, eye screenings, bone density scans, blood pressure checks, complete blood count and urinalysis. The clinic will also be doing VA Health Care enrollments and Diabetic/Lipids Education.

Veterans who visit the clinic will work through various stations, starting with a capture of their medical history. VA employees will be on hand to help patients determine for which services they qualify. Among the VA care options is a program called Home Buddies, which places an electronic device in the house of homebound patients. Registered nurses at the VA Hospital in Jackson who watch for high blood pressure, low blood count or other risks for patients monitor the device.

If veterans are eligible for additional health care through the VA, representatives provide veterans access to a web based system veterans use to communicate with providers online. Veterans can also check lab results, view appointments, reminders and medical library.

If a veteran doesn’t qualify, the veteran is still able to go through this free clinic, just not receiving health care through the VA in the future.

There is no age limit for the clinic, as long as you have been active for at least two years.

Veterans can bring their families to participate in this event, however family members will not receive future health care through the VA.

“Every veteran should protect a benefit they earned for saving our country,” Chief of Business Officer and Chairman of this event, Fred Nichols said.

Entertainment and light snacks will be provided. There is no co-pay or cost for this clinic.

Veterans may also take pictures for their veteran identification cards.

The VA Outpatient Clinic in Natchez is located on 105 Northgate Drive, Suite 2.

Results will be mailed or telephoned at a later date.

“We don’t want a veteran in Mississippi not know what they are entitled to,” Nichols said.

For more information about the Tell A Veteran/Bring A Veteran Clinic tour visit www.jackson.va.gov or contact Fred Nichols at 601-364-1233.