Indian Medical Association Proposes Free Clinic in Santa Ana
The 600-member Indian Medical Association of Southern California, part of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, is proposing to open a free medical clinic at Santa Ana's Sikh Center, the Los Angeles Times reports. The clinic would provide care to members of the center and to patients from the surrounding community who cannot afford health care. According to Dr. Sudeep Kukreja, president of the medical association, physicians at the clinic would "volunteer their services" and distribute samples of pharmaceuticals to patients for free. Doctors are currently negotiating with the leaders at the Sikh Center on an agreement that will serve the clinic without interfering with functions that also use the center. The president of the Sikh temple, Dr. Krishan Khurana, believes the clinic would be particularly helpful to older members of the temple community, the majority of whom speak Punjabi, and also to Indian tourists. The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin has approximately 35,000 member physicians and runs "similar" clinics in Houston, Dallas, Chicago and Flint, Mich. The Orange County-based branch has operated free health fairs in Southland communities three times a year since its creation 20 years ago. "Our basic aim is to serve ... people who can't afford medical care," said Kukreja. Khurana said the clinic faces a 50-50 chance of "becoming a reality" (Min, Los Angeles Times, 11/20).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.