Published: April 18, 2008 05:50 pm            

Clinic aims to fill children’s needs

By Robert Barron

Staff Writer



The number of people in need continues to grow, and Garfield County Children’s Clinic remains busy trying to fill the need.

The clinic is operated by Garfield County Health Department, which also utilizes the clinic to promote children’s health programs. Among those are WIC — Women, Infants and Children — which supplies nutritional needs, said Paula Pitcher, district nurse manager. Another program is a supplemental nutritional project where certified individuals receive milk, cheese and other necessities.

The clinic also distributes abuse hotline information.

The children’s first program is for first-time mothers. Prior to the first 28 weeks of pregnancy nurses go to the home to help educate the mothers on their health and the baby’s health. After the baby is born they continue to go to the home to check on the mother and baby.

The Children’s Health Clinic has always been a part of the Garfield County Health Department. Pitcher said the clinic is used for immunizations and also is available for guidance for children who need psychological help up to age 16. The children’s health clinic is open every Friday, and doctors from Northwest Pediatric Clinic come to see patients. The doctors are only there for a limited time but Pitcher said they treat about 200 people a year.

The physicians are for children with no medical card or insurance and no other place to receive medical services. The clinic has medical supplies they distribute or the physician will write a prescription.

“Many people qualify for a medical card and go to a private provider,” she said.

The need for health care is always there and is probably growing, she said. The most common health care problem are upper respiratory, strep throat, rashes and scabies, which are treated at the clinic.

Pitcher has been with public health service since 1996 and has been in the district position since June. She covers five counties: Garfield, Grant, Alfalfa, Major and Woods.

“It can be frustrating when the same people return with the same problems We offer much needed services,” she said.

There is a reward however, when she sees healthy babies because of the health department projects.

“Women are learning to be better moms with healthy children,” she said. “I like to think there are more healthy babies, and fewer unplanned pregnancies are our biggest success.”