SHAMS Clinic will provide health care services to underserved communities in Northeast Philadelphia.
Social Health and Medical Services Clinic, 7439 Frankford Ave., will celebrate a grand opening on Saturday, April 7, to make itself known to the community. The clinic will provide primary care and social services to underserved communities in the city. The clinic is open every other Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It hopes to open every Saturday in the near future.
The clinic is part of ICNA Relief, an organization that provides care to underserved communities with a focus on the Muslim population. It’s the first ICNA site in the city.
According to its website, shamsclinic.org, more than 75,000 Muslims live in Philadelphia, and about 60 percent of them live in poverty, while a quarter of them have no health insurance.
“Mayfair is a vibrant, growing community with diversity and culture,” said Councilman Bobby Henon, whose office has been on the steering committee for the clinic. “Mayfair has a growing immigrant population, and many don’t have access to affordable health care and don’t have options others may have.”
SHAMS will provide regular check-ups, counseling and referrals for more serious medical cases among its many services. It will also provide free vaccinations for children and adults and provide prescription medication. Though its work is rooted in the principles of the Islamic faith, it will serve all members of the community.
“Data shows that Mayfair is one of those communities that needs affordable health care,” Henon said. “There’s a grave need for low- or no-income residents to have health care, especially in my district.”
At the grand opening on Saturday, there will be fun stuff like activities for kids and food trucks, but also information for valuable resources. It will run from noon to 3 p.m.
Mayfair Community Development Corporation and the Holmesburg Civic Association partnered with the clinic to make the event possible.
Contact the center at 215–333–2600 or [email protected] ••
