On Nov. 4, 2005, the University of Texas Medical branch will close its doors at Prairie View. I think that it will be a tremendous loss to the local community,” said UTMB Clinic director Janis Billups. In 1994 Prairie View A&M University decided that it was time to open the UTMB clinic on campus. The purpose of the program was intended to accommodate the female population of the university as well as surrounding areas with free well woman¡s exams, contraceptive education, prenatal and maternal support, all at no cost.
Now nearly 11 years later, the UTMB branch located on the second floor of The Owens Franklin Health Center is closing due to lack of government funding.
As with most programs, if you keep cutting funding, it will eventually dissolve, said Billups. Title 5, 10 and 20 in the federal grant program fund the health program. The set fee allotted by the government was not enough to cover the needs of the clinic, added Billups.
Not only is funding down, but so is morale. “I hate that the clinic is closing. With reference to the services offered, it is hard for students to provide the funds to secure the needed health services. It is a huge loss, and bad for the working class community,” said Senior Cheleatha Lott.
While in service, the clinic has been helpful in serving the medical needs of the community. “Last year we saw 440,000 people alone,” said Billups. “The doctors are all so nice and receptive and make it exceptionally easy to open up about everything, I hate to see it go,” said Junior Cerissa Edwards. In addition to Prairie View, seven out of the 38 UTMB clincs in Texas will also be closing.
Although the branch here is closing, Billups wants to assure students that there is still cost friendly medical assistance at various locations in Katy, Fort Bend, Conroe, and Bryan, at the maximum price of $20.
In addition all records will be uploaded and transmitted via computer, or carried over by hand.