Refugee Health Program

 

The mission of the refugee program is to provide comprehensive health screenings and referrals to refugee clients.  We offer refugee health screenings to new refugee clients who come from all over the world.  Currently, the countries we are seeing the most arrivals from include Burma, Cuba, and Iraq.  They are people leaving their countries from religious or other persecution. 

 

 

We coordinate services to screen for Hepatitis B and Quanteferon for Tuberculosis screening.  Immunizations are started during this initial visit if needed.  We refer to WIC for children less than 5 years of age.  We also refer to medical, dental, vision, and mental health providers regarding issues the clients present with during the screening.  Follow-up appointments are scheduled with clients for immunizations.  We also schedule them for a visit at approximately one year from their date of arrival to assist with their adjustment of status. 

 

We work closely with the refugee sponsoring organization World Relief, who refers the clients to us.  We attend quarterly community meetings that educate on refugee issues.

 

Clinic day is Wednesday from 8-11 and 1-4 by apt. at our Pasco Office.

 

For more information about our program please contact:

 

Leslie Rivera, RN

509-460-4253

leslier@bfhd.wa.gov 

 

Other Resources:

Refugeeusa.org

 

Ethnic Medicine information

Ethnomed.org