Mobile clinic gives free health care outside Hartford Catholic church

Published: 2006-07-31

HARTFORD, Conn. (CNS) -- A free, mobile health care clinic has begun offering health care one day a week outside a Catholic church in downtown Hartford to help care for the poor and uninsured in one of America's poorest cities. Hartford Archbishop Henry J. Mansell, who has committed $100,000 a year for three years in support of the project, dedicated the clinic on July 13. The primary care clinic, called the Malta House of Care, will put an emphasis on prenatal, gynecological and pediatric care, according to J.P. van Rooy, a member of the Knights of Malta who is spearheading the project. "The Malta House of Care will provide services regardless of clients' race, religious creed or membership in local churches," said Archbishop Mansell. Van Rooy said all medications are being provided free of charge to patients, adding that they likely will be provided by local hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and foundations, which already are offering in-kind support to the project. Services and pharmaceuticals will be offered on a first-come, first served basis. Statistics show that Hartford, which has a population of about 120,000, is ranked as the eighth-poorest city in the United States. More than 10 percent of the population reportedly is uninsured.

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