County, state help refugees with health on Faribault Daily News

FARIBAULT — The county has renewed an agreement with the state to continue helping incoming refugees with their health.

The county’s public health department received a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health worth $4,131 to help with follow-up screenings and health services, as well as followups with those with tuberculosis.

When refugees come to the state, and ultimately Rice County, the state health department refers the county public health department to them. The person is brought to a doctor for an initial screening exam and to get any necessary immunizations to be up-to-date, said county public health director Mary Ho.

“It’s for helping people to get in and get a source of care,” she said.

Ho said the small grant reflects the few cases the county deals with.

“We don’t get a lot of referrals here because we’re not usually the first stop for people,” she said.

In addition to refugees new to the county who may settle in the county, the service can also be provided for those who didn’t finish the assessments in another county.

According to the state health department, in addition to Tuberculosis, refugees are tested for Hepatitis B, intestinal parasites, and lead poisoning in those 6 months old to 16 years old.

They also receive an assessment for dental, vision and mental health.

Depending on the health of an individual, the visits could end at one or could lead to several.

State health departments work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its Domestic Refugee Health Program, along with the Division of Global Migration and Quarantine.

The aim of the collaboration is to improve the health care of refugees after their arrival in the United States, initiate surveillance activities to monitor medical conditions identified post-arrival, work together to ensure adequate follow-up of refugees with medical conditions

identified overseas and strengthen the resources available for post-arrival health assessments and follow-up activities.

Ho said her department does a good job with its follow-ups on any refugee who enters the county.

“It’s important if you have (a case), you follow it up,” Ho said. “These are things we have to do. ... We do a good job of it.”

She said the grant helps alleviate some of the costs, which includes transportation and staff time. Costs incurred for treatment from doctors are typically on the individual.

But again, there aren’t many cases in the county, she said.

“Not everybody needs a lot of help,” she said. “But we contact everybody.”

The grant is good through June 30.

— Staff writer Corey Butler Jr. may be reached at 333-3135.

Share:

Digg

Guidelines: Welcome to the Faribault Daily News community. Please keep your comments civil. Don't attack other readers personally and keep your language decent. If you would like to report abuse click here to notify us.
Member Opinions: By: fariboresident71 on 5/7/09 I sure am glad they get all the assistsance they need but what is wrong with us AMERICANS!!!!!!!!! And we wonder why are country is so screwed up. I have always said if they were to pay taxes and would be in a surplus, if they spend there money here instead of sending it home, we would be in a posistive balance, and we would have help for us AMERICANS for the goverment programs instead of them using it all. By: Gator on 5/7/09 Most refugees work and pay taxes and they also eventuly become US Citizens By: bigrascal on 5/7/09 I agree with fariboresident71. Why are the tax paying citizens of this county being denied medical help? Guess I better learn to speak a foreign language fluently. By: pixiedust on 5/7/09 You forgot to add, they send it back to their "homeland". Gator. fariboresident says it all. By: Ofsilence on 5/7/09 I agree with fariboresident 100%. This is yet another example of the generosity of the tax paying citizens of this country getting steamrolled. It's time to move into the 21st century and abolish all entitlement programs (yes, this include the phasing out of Medicare/Medicaid and Social Security). They have become outdated and unsustainable. By: irishking on 5/7/09 100% agreement with fariboresident!!! These refugees obtain five years of benefits which include free medical,dental, housing assistance, food stamps, free or reduced tution assistance, etc.... What about the tax-paying citizens of Rice County? If a tax-paying citizen needs an operation, they have to come up with a down-payment and show that they have the means to pay any outstanding balance. But not these refugees!!!! Last week it was reported that the hospital in Northfield was showing a 2.6 million dollar deficit in uncompensated care for refugees and\or criminal illegal aliens. Also, the reporter failed to report the cost of care and services for criminal illegal aliens. In June, 2008, it was estimated there were 1850 criminal illegal aliens in Rice County. And they are turning out babies at a record pace leaving the taxpayer with total hospital cost!!! Enough is enough!!! Wake up Rice County!!!!!
Login and voice your opinion!