The West Hawaii Community Health Center is set to receive more than $1.3 million in federal funding to continue offering critical health services.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funding will help cover the center’s costs for providing medical, dental, and behavioral health care to rural and underserved communities at eight locations in West Hawaii. The health center also offers coronavirus testing and telemedicine to better serve their patients during the ongoing public health crisis.
“Access to affordable primary health care is incredibly vital for all people — especially now during the pandemic,” said Richard Taaffe, CEO of West Hawaii Community Health Center. “All people deserve safe and dependable access to health care, regardless of their ability to pay. West Hawaii Community Health Center is proud to serve our community, providing essential medical, dental and behavioral health care services in-person, and via telehealth, for our community. Keeping our patients and our community safe during this pandemic is our No. 1 priority. This award helps make these crucial services available for the people of West Hawaii.”
The funding is part of a continuing grant for the calendar year 2021. Health centers may use this funding for a variety of projects, including the expansion of primary health care access to new health centers and sites, additional services, improving information technology, and boosting services for emerging public health concerns like COVID-19 prevention, response, testing, and recovery.