King City opens new clinic to boost growing pediatric care need – KSBW Monterey

Children’s Health and Wellness Center Opening in King City

A grand opening was held in King City on Tuesday morning for a new children’s clinic that aims to address the growing need for pediatric healthcare services in the underserved communities of South Monterey County. The clinic, called the Children’s Health and Wellness Center, is operated by Mee Memorial Healthcare System. It is more than just a healthcare facility; it is a beacon of hope and opportunity for our children, according to Rena Salamacha, the CEO of Mee Memorial Healthcare System.

Addressing the Need for Pediatric Healthcare

By starting care early, the Children’s Health and Wellness Center aims to ensure that children in this rural community have the opportunity to grow strong, thrive, and transition into healthy adults. Access to healthcare can be a challenge in this area, and this clinic fills an essential need that will have a lasting impact for generations to come, said Salamacha.

Prioritizing Child Healthcare

The Children’s Health and Wellness Center features six exam rooms, an on-site lab, and a triage room. The focus of the center is to prioritize child healthcare through wellness and preventative care. It provides access to primary care services, basic emergency services, and basic general surgery services, addressing the front and center healthcare needs of the community, according to Noah Hawthorne, the chief medical officer of the hospital.

Transforming Pediatric Care in South County

Mee Memorial is now providing a key service in an area with an underserved population. This means that many children and their families no longer have to travel long distances for healthcare. The opening of the Children’s Health and Wellness Center is transforming pediatric care in South County while addressing healthcare challenges. Across the American healthcare landscape, it is becoming increasingly difficult to access primary care physicians and healthcare providers, especially in rural areas with multiple financial challenges, said Hawthorne.

Positive Impact on Rural Communities

King City Councilman Robert Cullen expressed his support for the new clinic, stating that it is a good day for healthcare delivery in South County. Rural communities need access to healthcare, and this expansion is an important step in meeting that need.

Operating Hours

The Children’s Health and Wellness Center will be open from Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It will be closed on weekends.

References

1. Mee Memorial Hospital closing its dialysis center
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 3.8: Proportion of population with access to essential healthcare services
• Indicator for SDG 10.2: Proportion of population with access to healthcare services in underserved communities

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ksbw.com