Wichita's free clinic overwhelmed with patients

February 26, 2011|By Melody Pettit | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

(WICHITA, Kan.) — 44-year old Dione Byars has had a hard year. Not only was she laid off, but she was also diagnosed with congestive heart failure and graves disease.

"Not only being unemployed and dealing with those feelings, but being this sick is just ten times worse," Byars said.

With no health insurance she didn't know how she was going to get the treatment she needs. That's when she found out about Wichita's Mayflower Clinic.

"It is such a relief to know I don't have to worry about how I am going to pay the doctor bills anymore," she said.

The Clinic was designed with people like Byars in mind. It started by a dream team of immigrant doctors and surgeons to give back to a community and Country that has treated them well.

"We've had so much from this community so I wanted to give back," said Dr. Zartash Khan.

All the doctors volunteer their time. The Clinic relies heavily on help from the community. Wichita's Galichia Heart Hospital provides the entire Clinic's lab work for free.

"There is such a community need for this, we're just glad to be a part of it," said Steve Harris the CEO of Galichia Heart Hospital.

Right now the clinic is only open two days a week over the weekend. The doctors say they have enough patients; they want to open full time eventually. But even a free clinic has costs like rent on their building that's paid for completely by donations.

"We also have telephone, utilities, and supplies that we need to pay for," said Vimale Goyle, the Medical Director of the Mayflower Clinic.

The doctors here have seen a dramatic increase in patients and say they need all the help they can get.

"We do need funds. If anyone can donate, any little bit helps," Khan said.

"I really appreciate what they are doing here. I am so grateful," Byars said.

For more information on the Mayflower Clinic and how to help, go to:

http://www.mayflowerclinic.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58

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