Florala area residents got good news Monday night when Andalusia Health officially announced plans to open a walk-in healthcare clinic there in April.

Andalusia Health CEO John Yanes made the announcement at Monday’s council meeting.

“We have been working on this initiative since 2015,” said John Yanes, CEO of Andalusia Health. “The closing of Florala Memorial Hospital a few years ago left a significant void in southern Covington County, and we are very pleased to be able to bring quality healthcare services based in Florala and help improve the overall health and well-being of this community.”

The hospital and its clinic closed without warning on the last day of 2013.

Florala Health Clinic will be staffed by a team of nurse practitioners supervised by physicians, Yanes said. Services offered will include routine vaccinations, evaluation and treatment of common illnesses, medical conditions and minor injuries. Patients will be able to schedule appointments with a provider or walk-in patients without an appointment will be welcomed.

“Eventually, we hope to be able to expand to bring other services such as a rotating specialist clinic,” he said. “This would include rotating some medical specialists through the Florala Health Care.

Several employees who previously worked in the health care system in Florala will be part of the new team, Yanes said.

Yanes said the hospital has leased the healthcare clinic adjacent to Florala’s hospital facility, at 24273 5th Ave.

Hours have not been finalized, but Yanes said he expects the facility will be open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Florala Mayor Terry Holley said, “This is a very positive note for our citizens in Florala. It’s a stepping stone. One thing leads to others.”