The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is looking for Uber drivers to transport residents to and from county health departments as well as pharmacies.
Launched last November by the MSDH’s Office of Health Equity, the federally funded “Transportation to Health” program provides transportation to and from county health department clinics and offices for health services or Women, Infants, and Children’s Nutrition (WIC) program appointments. Rides can also be scheduled to pick up prescriptions received at health department appointments. Passengers are transported by Uber drivers.
“Transportation to Health can eliminate delayed or missed appointments by the most vulnerable people in Mississippi,” MSDH Chief of Community Health and Clinical Services Dr. Victor Sutton said. “Transportation is a social determinant of health that affects communities in several ways, such as access to care, social services, and educational opportunities.”
As things stand, drivers are still needed in the following counties: Adams, Alcorn, Attala, Calhoun, Carroll, Clark, Clay, Copiah, Grenada, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Leflore, Lincoln, Monroe, Neshoba, Newton, Noxubee, Pearl River, Pike, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Quitman, Simpson, Tallahatchie, Tippah, Tishomingo, Union, Walthall, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wilkinson, Winston, Yalobusha, and Yazoo.
“When a patient cannot access reliable and safe transportation, there is less opportunity to engage in healthy behaviors, which improves health outcomes,” MSDH Office of Health Equity Director Dr. Nikki Johnson said.
Adults 18 and over can schedule rides through one of three avenues:
- Make an appointment — Potential users will be asked whether they need transportation.
- Call (855)767-0170 at least 30 minutes before an appointment.
- If you are filling a prescription from your health department visit and need a ride to a pharmacy, you can call to arrange a ride or to add a stop to your trip.
Adults interested in driving for Uber and transporting Mississippians in counties in need of drivers can apply here.
