Two new clinics to provide free healthcare services
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Healthcare services are now available to families who need them most.
UNLV's School of Medicine has opened two new clinics offering free healthcare services.
Both serve students in the Clark County School District. One is located inside Bailey Middle School. The other is inside the district's family support center. The clinics treat children from the ages of 3 to 21.
The Bailey Middle School clinic just received clearance to treat students from hickey elementary and sunrise high school.
The clinics are open to students and their siblings. It's just like going to a doctor's office. Pamela Girgis is a nurse practitioner for the UNLV School of Medicine.
She says, "Students and their siblings receive comprehensive care." That includes medical as well as mental health services. The ultimate goal is removing barriers to care.
"Here at Bailey Middle School, approximately 50 to 60% of students we see are uninsured. At the other clinic (family support center) over 80% of the children we're seeing have no health insurance."
Besides free healthcare services, both clinics offer year-round medical care.
Girgis says, "That's extremely important because a lot of these kids don't have a primary care provider or pediatrician. If we're closed and someone's sick, they can't get care. The nice thing is we're able to here. One of our goals here is to give vaccines and sports physicals during the summer months. That way kids don't have to miss class time once the school year starts."
This is a two-year pilot program. Both locations are funded through donations. The Bailey location was made possible by Dr. Gopal Das and Jeannette Das. The UNLV Health Department of Pediatrics provides financial support for the Family Support Center. Both clinics, however, need additional funding to stay open.
The goal is to expand to additional schools. Anyone interested in services or providing financial support can call 702-895-3011.
