PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Northeast Philadelphia residents say they desperately want extra well being care choices, however the plan to construct two further new well being facilities has not but been finalized.
Some neighborhood members say they don’t have any extra time to waste.
There are greater than 40 well being facilities in Philadelphia serving low-income, uninsured, and underinsured residents. Nonetheless, there is just one well being heart in Northeast Philadelphia, the place residents say the demand is much higher than the care it might present.
“Because it's the one well being heart within the Northeast, everybody involves this well being heart,” mentioned resident Cynthia Clark.
For Clark, a most cancers survivor, the care she wants is just not straightforward to get.
“I’ve an appointment that I booked nearly a yr in the past,” he mentioned.
Clark mentioned adults like her are generally compelled to attend as much as a yr to make a health care provider's appointment. Within the case of kids, she mentioned, it might take as much as 5 months.
Clark mentioned the neighborhood desperately wants further well being facilities.
“If I wait nearly a yr, I’ll die ready for an appointment as a result of I don't understand how severe my sickness is,” he mentioned.
Talks to construct two new well being facilities in Northeast Philadelphia proceed at Metropolis Corridor, however the proposals haven’t but been finalized.
The proposals would search to construct a well being heart at Mates Hospital and throughout from the Frankford Transportation Middle.
Beginning Tuesday, Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada will maintain neighborhood conferences to obtain suggestions from residents in regards to the want for well being facilities on these dates and places:
- Tuesday, February 20 at Houseman Rec Middle at 5091 Summerdale Ave, Philadelphia at 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, February 21 at Juniata Boys and Ladies Membership at 1230 Cayuga Avenue from 6:30 p.m. to eight p.m.
- Tuesday. February 27 at Olney Presbyterian Church at 3435 N. third Avenue (third and Tabor) from 6:30 p.m. to eight p.m.
However Philadelphia Unemployment Venture Director John Dodds says there may be opposition that would jeopardize the proposal.
Dodds says some individuals oppose demolishing the Lawnside constructing.
“I don't see why you must fear about this, so we actually suppose it must be completed,” he mentioned.
For Clark, she mentioned the proposed well being facilities may very well be a game-changer for her and the whole Northeast.
“Sufferers wait too lengthy to be seen,” he mentioned.
The proposed well being facilities would search to supply care to a further 40,000 individuals residing in Northeast Philadelphia, decreasing wait instances for residents.