Anthony DelMundo/New York Daily News
Hospital officials say they expect 300 cabbies to show up for Saturday’s health fair. In 2011, 71 participants were screened for prostate cancer, and 11% had abnormal results.
Cab drivers are being offered a chance by a Washington Heights hospital to get the health care services they need.
The Taxi Drivers’ Health Fair, hosted by New York-Presbyterian Hospital, will take place this weekend and its mission is to make sure cabbies get screenings for hypertension, diabetes, prostate cancer, obesity and HIV. Hacks can also have their cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose and vision checked.
The hospital has been running the fair for eight years to help the cabbies get primary health care.
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“They usually go to the emergency room for primary care instead of going to a regular doctor,” said Andres Nieto, the director of community health and outreach for the hospital’s ambulatory-care unit, which sponsors similar events for workers at bodega and hair salons.
Hospital officials say they expect 300 cabbies to show up for Saturday’s health fair. In 2011, 71 participants were screened for prostate cancer, and 11% had abnormal results. Some participants had to receive same-day medical intervention after receiving blood pressure and glucose tests.
Because they work such long hours, Nieto said cabbies often find out they are sick when it’s too late.
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Cab drivers that talked to the Daily News this week said they liked the idea of a health fair just for them.
“On this job, you never eat regularly. I often get my meals at Dunkin’ Donuts, and then don’t get dinner until 10 or 11 at night,” said Kirpal Singh, who immigrated here 25 years ago and sends as much money as he can afford back home to his wife, three children and mother in northern India.
“This would be a great way for me to find out about my health,” added Singh, who is 54. “And it’s free? When is health care ever free over here? The amount you’d have to pay for a checkup like this would be crazy.”
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Clinicians will be on hand to make referrals, and health-plan reps will help drivers get health coverage.
“Many of them qualify for health coverage and just never apply because they work so long and so many hours that they just don’t have the time,” Nieto said. “We try to be a one-stop shop. We have all of the screenings in one place. We even give them parking.”
Taxi Drivers’ Health Fair on Sept. 28 at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Ambulatory Care Network Audubon Practice on 21 Audubon Ave., between W. 166th and 167th Sts. in Washington Heights.
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