Donor reports increase in people seeking free lab tests

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Health Writer

A Honolulu company that donates $150,000 worth of medical laboratory services a year to poor people in free medical screenings says a growing number are benefiting.

"We do see the need for this service growing," said Ed Hope, vice president of marketing for Diagnostic Laboratory Services, one of the state's largest medical laboratories.

When Diagnostic first offered the services and supplies through local social service agencies more than 10 years ago, Hope estimated the donation to be worth $50,000 a year.

That has increased to $150,000 as the number of people in the community lacking health insurance has grown. The program now serves about 150 people per month.

The company works with local agencies that reach out to people who lack other medical care, including Aloha Medical Mission, River of Life Mission, Institute for Human Services, Waikiki Health Center, Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Kokua Kalihi Valley and Kalihi-Palama Health Center.

At Aloha Medical Mission, clinic manager Kris Kawamoto said about 40 to 50 patients get free lab work each month. "It makes a huge difference," she said. The bulk of the clinic's patients are homeless, immigrants, people between jobs or workers who lack health insurance because they are on probation at new jobs, she said.

Kawamoto said the tests often reveal diabetes, high blood pressure or other ailments. Tests also can pinpoint an infection so it can be treated properly.

"Without the lab work, the doctors wouldn't know how to treat them," she said, and most patients wouldn't be able to afford to pay for such tests.

Screenings range from basic blood tests to more specialized tests, and turn up infectious diseases, hepatitis and sexually transmitted diseases, among other ailments, said Hope.

Diagnostic began providing the service after learning of the need through the community and other volunteer organizations, he said. "We thought we could make a big impression, because lab is such a big expense in healthcare."

In October, he said, DLS provided $12,962 worth of free lab services, supplies and analysis for 147 people.

Before the program began, he said, some patients would decline tests they couldn't afford, and some doctors would absorb the cost.

"There's a lot of doctors in Hawai'i with aloha, and sometimes they just take care of their patients," he noted. "We offer to match that in kind."

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.