Introduction
It is the right of every citizen of this nation to access quality and affordable healthcare. The mandate of the provision of healthcare services lies with the central government; however, it is the responsibility of the citizens to play their roles in “inspiring” the government to achieve its objectives of universal healthcare provision (Amaratunga & Hockney, 2013). Currently, this neighborhood is facing huge challenges regarding the provision of healthcare to the locals; the escalating prices of accessing these services have not made things easier. In this regard, the government in partnership with foreign donors has decided to initiate a free public healthcare facility to cater to the neighborhood.
Economic issues
The cost of living is continually on an upward trend thus making it hard for the low-end class to save effectively for their healthcare needs. The introduction of Medical insurance schemes by the government was a bid to reduce the burden of costs in healthcare for the citizens (Evans, Wilson, & DePorter, 2011). The framework was to enable the masses to afford the services through cost-sharing of health costs with the government. However, most people are still unable to meet the financial responsibility of having an insurance company meet their medical expenses. This has necessitated the inception of the idea of the free clinic in this area; it will fill the lacuna created by insufficient funds to join the medical insurance schemes. The facility will cater to those who are unable to raise enough money for their treatment in society.
The health of the population
From the health-risk indicator survey of the last decade, this area has experienced escalating levels of typhoid cases. In addition, the increased attack of cases of Malaria has inspired the government and the leadership to establish a free clinic initiative. The commitment of the authority to care for the health of its people has led to the initiation of several productive health programs in the nation. The prevalence of Malaria and typhoid cases will double in the next five years in case the citizens do not take it upon themselves to curb these deadly conditions. The first responsibility is to take advantage of the free clinic to nip the spread of Typhoid and Malaria in the bud. This program is also aimed at reducing the mortality rate among children below the age of five years. The healthcare report released in the last three years has indicated that the mortality rate amongst toddlers is quite high courtesy of Malaria attacks. The operations of this clinic in the region are set to reverse this statistics and improve the healthcare of the inhabitants of these regions.
Processes involved
The free clinic initiative is restricted to those lacking Medical insurance schemes. A very strict vetting process to establish the eligibility of an individual to seek the services of the free clinic initiative shall be done. The first procedure will be the verification of the documents to evaluate the qualifications of an individual. The clinic is only restricted to the inhabitants of the neighborhood, therefore, a thorough substantiation of residency will be required. The citizens are expected to play their patriotic responsibility by displaying high moral and ethical standards throughout the vetting period.
After the verification process, individuals will be allowed access to use the services of the clinic responsibly. The services of the clinic are not limited to reducing Malaria and Typhoid only, but rather to tackle general healthcare issues in the neighborhood. The authority will also be able to collect very important data regarding healthcare issues in the area, and so the users of the facility would be requested to issue information regarding other health upshots in the area, but this will be for research purposes only.
Benefits of the program
The focus of the free clinic is to empower the citizens to be able to access healthcare programs without technicalities (Kelly, 2008). The government has enough proof that quite a significant portion of the citizens are struggling to meet the costs of their healthcare needs. In giving out free medical services, the government is meeting its responsibility of meeting the healthcare needs of the citizens without any discrimination along economic lines. The program is also targeting the low-earning class of citizens. The low-earning citizens must be insulated from the escalated costs of seeking for Medicare, and this facility will be very crucial in assisting them to acquire Medicare services and channel their earnings elsewhere to improve their lives.
Conclusion
Healthcare issues like Malaria and Typhoid, which are ubiquitous in the region, will be contained. Malaria and Typhoid have been responsible for several deaths in the area. The area suffers from increased mortality in toddlers and children; the need to initiate this free clinic program could have not come at a better time. It will improve the health conditions in the area. In addition, a free clinic is to educate the masses on the importance to enroll in insurance schemes to cater to individual healthcare needs.
References
Amaratunga, C., & Hockney, J. (2013). Beyond Partnering: Creating the Healthcare Community. Healthcare Management Forum, 16(4), 14-19.
Evans, C. J., Wilson, R. L., & DePorter, F. G. (2011). Integrated community healthcare: next generation strategies for developing provider networks. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Kelly, K. (2008). Proactive recruitment in local government. Journal of Management & Marketing in Healthcare, 1(4), 338-350.