Harlingen hospital to examine Aiken, Besteiro students and staff for toxic mold exposure

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Harlingen hospital to examine Aiken, Besteiro students and staff

By Angeles Negrete Lares

The Brownsville Herald

South Texas Health Care Systems, a hospital and outpatient clinic in

Harlingen, will start testing students and staff from Aiken Elementary and

Besteiro Middle schools in March, for what many believe are symptoms of

toxic mold exposure.

The schedule was arranged Tuesday during an assembly at Christ the King

Catholic Church. Valley Interfaith leaders, who have taken up the families'

cause, arranged the meeting.

" We will provide all the health care in the clinic, " , STHCS

director said at the gathering of more than 50 parents and teachers from

both schools.

" All the people need is to register to get the medical attention, " she

added.

said the hospital's family practitioners will only be available two

days a week to provide the exams.

Leaders of Valley Interfaith, a community advocacy group, announced the plan

to partner with STHCS, funded by the Texas Department of Health, on Feb. 19.

Rosie with Valley Interfaith said STHCS representatives agreed to

provide the tests after hospital officials " were informed of the problems

experienced by hundreds of children attending classes at the schools. "

Parents and staff from both schools claim students and employees there

suffer from nosebleeds, headaches, seizures, earaches and other symptoms

they attribute to mold exposure.

Bertha , a Valley Interfaith leader, said the clinic would examine

those who show the most serious symptoms first.

Hospital officials said they would only be able to examine 30 people a day.

Valley Interfaith estimates about 500 people need to be checked.

" This clinic is a good option, " Gomez, parent of an Aiken student.

" Thank God that somebody has heard us. "

The community group is looking to provide transportation for those who

cannot go to the clinic on their own. The group approached BISD

Superintendent Noe Sauceda about using a school bus but were turned down, sa

id Judy Vera of Valley Interfaith.

The plan, said, is to provide testing at the clinic while

collecting results to present to Dr. in the hopes of

contracting his services.

is a Houston-based physician and mold expert who addressed a crowd

of more than 200 people about the health effects of mold on people on Feb.

18.

He is medical director of the Center for Immune, Environmental and Toxic

Disorders, and specializes in the study of how toxins affect the body and

the immune system.

" The people are anxious with concern about the children's health, "

added. " We understand the problem, but they need to register to get the

attention. "

She said the clinic charges according to the patient's ability to pay. The

minimum fee will be $15, she said.

People who wish to register for medical attention at STHCS need to show

proof of Texas residence (electric or water bill), W2 form and paycheck

stub.

People who don't have the necessary documents might still have the right to

be examined. Social workers at the clinic will take each case individually,

said.

Brownsville Independent School District officials were not asked to

participate at this week's meetings.

People can call the clinic at 1-888-890-3535 for more inform