In the United States, 50 million Americans do not have access to health insurance. Around 25% of Texas residents are neither covered under any insurance plan nor eligible for public medical services. Al-Shifa Clinic was opened in October 1998 to provide primary care to medically underserved populations and those without insurance coverage. The clinic treats diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and minor infections. If these problems are not treated at an early stage, they may lead to more serious issues, such as heart disease, stroke, or kidney failure, which can result in more severe consequences. All surgical and complicated medical cases are referred to nearby public hospitals. Volunteer physicians come on rotation on Saturdays, and a part-time physician sees patients at the clinic twice a week.
When referred by Al-Shifa, some cardiologists, gastroenterologists, neurologists, and ObGyn see patients for free consultation in their own offices. Foreign medical graduates applying for residency programs also attend the clinic as “observers” and volunteer under the supervision of the attending physicians. Al-Shifa clinic serves almost 1,500 patients annually irrespective of ethnicity, religion, race, or country of origin. Al-Shifa Clinic provides physical checkups, diabetes, blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid and other medical problems, lab work, and medication prescriptions.
MCC is in need of Volunteer Physicians
If you can volunteer for Al-Shifa Clinic for 3 hours per month, please sign up for your services.