In response to the recent outbreak of the Zika virus, the Department of Health (DOH) is now offering free checkups — at any one of their health centers — for all expectant mothers.
According to a statement from DOH, the free checkups are to 'help pregnant mothers at this time of the Zika outbreak, to ensure that they don't miss any checkups and are well protected from Zika."
Pregnant women are a special target group "due to a suspected link between the virus and deformities in babies born of mothers who contracted the virus" while pregnant.
According to the Health Department, such cases have occurred in Brazil but have not been documented and confirmed in the United States and its territories.
DOH is urging pregnant women to get tested for the Zika virus and protect themselves from mosquitoes. Referring to the free checkups, DOH Director of Nursing Margaret Sesepasara, who spends a lot of time in prenatal clinics at the community health centers, says she is certain that the cost prevents some mothers from going to see the doctor.