West Virginia WIC Clinics Received Funding for New Gear

State health clinics will replace finger-prick blood draws with non-invasive sensors to check iron levels.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Healthy Food

Gouache-painted editorial illustration showing a single medical sensor probe on a table, representing non-invasive diagnostic technology used in health clinics. — The West Virginia Department of Health has received nearly $200,000 in federal funding to replace traditional finger-prick blood draws with non-invasive diagnostic sensors in WIC clinics. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The USDA has awarded $195,825 to the West Virginia Department of Health to modernize WIC clinic screenings. The funding will allow clinics to implement non-invasive spot-check technology to replace traditional blood draws for patients.

Why it matters

This technology aims to improve the patient experience by eliminating the need for needle sticks. By reducing the reliance on finger pricks, the initiative also lowers clinic waste and provides a more efficient way to monitor hemoglobin and iron levels.

The West Virginia Department of Health received a $195,825 grant from the USDA to deploy Masimo Pronto devices across 55 statewide WIC clinics. This non-invasive technology replaces manual finger-prick blood draws, with the full rollout expected to conclude by December 2026.

The players

USDA

The United States Department of Agriculture provides national oversight for nutrition assistance programs and public health food grants.

West Virginia Department of Health

The state agency responsible for overseeing public health initiatives, clinic resources, and WIC program operations.

The details

The Masimo Pronto devices utilize non-invasive sensors to measure hemoglobin and iron levels by placing a probe on the skin. This process provides results in under three minutes without drawing blood, which streamlines the screening process for clinic staff and patients alike. The department will conduct a phased rollout of these tools to ensure all WIC locations across the state have access to the diagnostic technology.

Late 2026 marks the phased rollout of the new WIC clinic technology.
December 2026 is the expected completion date for the technology rollout statewide.

Health Landscape

The transition to non-invasive diagnostics reflects a broader trend in public health toward improving patient comfort and reducing medical waste. This investment updates the delivery of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service WIC program in the state.

WIC participants should expect a change in the hemoglobin screening process at state clinics starting in late 2026. If you have questions about the new non-invasive testing method, feel free to discuss the updated procedure with your local clinic representative.

The takeaway

Advancements in point-of-care technology are increasingly replacing invasive testing methods to improve patient comfort. Families should inquire with their local WIC providers about the transition to non-invasive screening if they have concerns regarding blood draws.

What happens next

The phased rollout of the new technology is scheduled to begin in late 2026, with full implementation across all 55 West Virginia WIC clinics expected by December 2026.