(PUEBLO, Colo.) — The Pueblo City-County Library District (PCCLD) will soon provide patrons living in Rye and Colorado City with the means to access telehealth services thanks to a grant provided by the Colorado Lieutenant Governor’s Office.

The funding comes from a $125,000 grant from the Colorado Lt. Governor’s Office of eHealth Innovations. PCCLD is one of 15 rural libraries to get funds to purchase telehealth equipment.

PCCLD said that currently there will be four telehealth kits available at the Greenhorn Valley Library at 4801 Cibola Drive in Colorado City. The kits include:

Laptop

Pulse oximeter

Digital thermometer

Web camera and lights

A wifi hotspot is also included in the kits for those who do not have internet access.

A kickoff event for the telehealth kits will take place on Thursday, March 7 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Greenhorn Valley Library.

Health Solutions Family Medicine is the healthcare provider that will offer a range of services such as initial consultations, health education, mental health support, chronic disease screening and management, minor acute care, and family planning.

“Healthcare and access to healthcare and health information is a critical aspect of a person’s physical and mental health and well-being. The Pueblo City-County Library District is very happy to partner with the State of Colorado in bringing access to telehealth services to the Colorado City and Rye communities,” Sherri Baca PCCLD’s executive director said.

PCCLD said factors such as longer driving distances, few local clinics, and lack of access to medical technology can increase those living in rural community’s risk of dying from heart disease, cancer, stroke, and chronic lower respiratory disease. PCCLD is hoping these kits increase access to telehealth to help connect those living in rural areas to medical services.