Al-Shifa Clinic Celebrates Fifteen Years of Free & Meritorious Medical Services
By Shakil Patel
Pictures by Anwar Khawaja

On June 14 2014 the Al-Shifa Clinic in San Bernardino, California reached a major milestone as it completed fifteen years of providing free and exemplary medical services to all and sundry irrespective of color, creed, race, religion or gender. It was a very happy occasion not only for the Al-Shifa Clinic, but for the entire Muslim community of Southern California who made it all possible with their unstinted support and generosity over the years. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to the handful of dedicated and visionary founders of Al-Shifa Clinic, all the medical personnel including physicians, dentists, nurses and other medical and administrative staff for their commitment, dedication and hard work over the years in establishing this shining example of great humanitarian services. Hats off to all of you! Keep up the good work!
Al-Shifa Clinic was established in March 2000 in the low-income neighborhood of Muscoy in San Bernardino, California. It was founded by a small group of concerned community members. The mission of the clinic is to provide free, quality, patient-focused healthcare to all, irrespective of race, religion, ethnicity, or gender and regardless of ability to pay - with the goal of improving the health status of the community it serves.
The clinic supports itself mainly through fundraisers organized by the Board of Directors and has also received some grants from the City and County of San Bernardino and some non-profit foundations such as the California Wellness Foundation. Over the years, the grants from the City and County have dwindled while the Clinic has expanded its services and increased its patient base. Al Shifa needs more support from other non-profit foundations and health organizations so that it can sustain and develop its services to an even higher level.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Editor: Akhtar M. Faruqui
© 2004 pakistanlink.com . All Rights Reserved.