The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) has launched the 'NM DOH Helpline,' a unified hotline that merges various departmental hotlines for public use. This consolidated helpline combines multiple services such as COVID-19 assistance, reproductive health guidance, and epidemiology consultations into one accessible resource.
According to a press release by DOH, the new helpline can be reached at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773). Staffed by nurses, it offers a range of services including telehealth Paxlovid prescriptions for uninsured or underinsured individuals, advice on COVID-related matters such as isolation protocols and exposure, help in scheduling various vaccinations, and support in finding healthcare providers for primary care, mental health, and specialists. The helpline also addresses epidemiology concerns like reporting notifiable conditions and managing infectious diseases, foodborne illnesses, and animal bites. Reproductive health services include assistance in finding abortion care, contraceptives, and sexually transmitted infection testing.
"We believe that consolidating our hotlines into the DOH Helpline will provide a better experience for people who are seeking health-related information," said Madison Schaeffer, MS, MPH, director and lead epidemiologist for the DOH Helpline. Schaeffer added: "Our goal is to make the Department of Health more accessible to the public so that we are better able to connect New Mexicans to healthcare resources."
The DOH oversees public health initiatives including epidemiology studies, laboratory services provision, developmental disabilities support coordination, health improvement programs administration services management facilities management medical cannabis regulation. The Office of Facilities Management operates seven facilities contributing to the assessment and improvement of New Mexicans' health. The NMDOH runs a comprehensive system for health promotion community health improvement chronic disease prevention infectious disease prevention injury prevention through local public health offices community provider contracts. Furthermore, according to the About webpage provided by DOH,the department bolsters the healthcare system with contracted primary and rural healthcare services, school-based health centers, emergency medical services, scientific laboratory services, and vital records and health statistics.
