The last storm wreaked havoc everywhere, including a community clinic in South Los Angeles.
Universal Community Health Center opened its doors in November and receives around 100 patients every day.
However, after torrential rains, it eventually flooded and is now operating at only a quarter of its capacity. The incident happened on Saturday morning.
The winter storm caused extensive damage to the Universal Community Clinic in South Los Angeles.
“The entire clinic was filled with over six inches of water,” said Dr. Edgard Chavez of Universal Community Health Center.
The amount of falling water caused the roof to collapse, damaging the fire extinguishing system, as well as medical equipment.
“We have to replace the roof, replace, a lot of equipment,” Dr. Chavez said. “We are talking about more than half a million dollars”
Damage affected the waiting room and rooms where thousands of patients receive services. The community clinic is located on Calle San Pedro.
“It is very sad that they have just opened the clinic and are going through these difficult times,” said patient Verónica Morales.
While they drain the establishment, they calculate that they will only be able to operate at a quarter of their capacity.
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The members of the clinic do not know exactly when they will be able to offer the new dental services that they have been planning for a year.
“It will force us to reduce medical services to the community,” Dr. Chavez said.
Some patients, like Morales, already had appointments scheduled. Their children were due to be seen next month.
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“We’re waiting for them to fix it,” Morales said. “We are from the community and we support the Universal Clinic.”
This same patience will have to have all who depend on this clinic. Some will have to go to the other clinics of the Universal Community Health Center.
The problem is that they are also running at full capacity.
Repairs could take a few months. This is why they are asking for funds, via an online account, to try to reopen it as soon as possible.