Lumbee Tribe announces the opening of the Indian Health Clinic
The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina announces the re-opening of the Indian Health Clinic for Thursday, January 6 at 5 pm. The clinic is now located at the Native Angels Complex in Pembroke off highway 711. The clinic had originally opened in March 2004 in Lumberton, however, in August 2010 the clinic was turned over to the Lumbee Tribe to manage the daily operations.
Without funding to operate the clinic, the tribe has spent the last several months hosting fundraising efforts to raise money to support the clinic. “The original purpose of the clinic was to provide free or low-cost primary health care for uninsured or low-income American Indians in Robeson and surrounding counties,” said Tribal Administrator, Rose Marie Lowry-Townsend. “And it has been our goal to maintain this option for residents, for the need of this type of service is tremendous in our communities.”
The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina has hosted several fundraisers over the last several months, because the Tribe is ineligible to receive funding from Indian Health Services. The Tribe hosted a Arts Dinner and Auction, where a print honoring Lumbee pioneers in the medical profession was presented and auctioned, as well as started an annual golf tournament and hosted an annual Christmas tour of homes.
“Our events have been successful,” states Tribal Administrator Lowry-Townsend, “and I really would like to thank not only the membership, but also the general community for their support in this important endeavor. We have had overwhelming support from Lumbee and non-Lumbee alike, because people understand the importance of health care.”
The Indian Health Clinic opened with 320 patients the first year and now currently serves almost 1,900 people, who mainly reside in the Pembroke and Maxton area. To reduce the burden of travel, the Tribe has moved the clinic closer to those communities.
The Tribal Chairman, Purnell Swett, hosted a Health and Human Services Volunteer Dinner with doctors and nurses from the four county tribal territory in August, after the acquisition, to discuss the new clinic. “I was appreciative of the feedback from those of the medical profession for stepping forward, and giving us ideas on how to make this clinic a reality,” says Chairman Swett. “With their continued support I believe, together we can meet the needs of a population who desperately needs medical care and attention.”
The Indian Health Clinic will see patients on an appointment basis, and current patients who wish to be seen on Thursday, January 6, should call 910-521-0059 to schedule an appointment. The standard hours of operation for the clinic will be Thursday evenings from 5pm until 8pm and will expand as volunteers continue to come forward. The Native Angels Complex is located at 5823 on NC highway 711. |
|
