COLUMBIA (WACH) -- One dollar goes a long way at The Free Medical Clinic. According to officials, for every dollar that is received, eight dollars in treatment is delivered.
“We feel very fortunate that we are able to help provide those necessary services,” says Steven Mungo.
On Tuesday, The Mungo Family Foundation donated $90,000 to the clinic.
“We operate totally off donations and grants and so, if we don't have the dollars, we can't provide the services,” says Executive Director Dennis Coker of The Free Medical Clinic.
Tuesday’s contribution continues a tradition for The Mungo Family Foundation. But more importantly, it means patients, like 56-year-old Machell Thomas will be able to get care they need.
“I was like down and out and didn't know how I was going to see a doctor,” Thomas says.
This year, The Free Medical Clinic has seen a 40 percent increase in patients, which averages out to be around 1,000 visits a month.
Thomas suffers from various chronic diseases and has been coming to the clinic for more than five years. She adds that she doesn't know what kind of condition she would be in if her only choice for care was the emergency room.
“I don't have the means to afford it,” Thomas says.
As the need grows for health care, The Free Medical Clinic hopes to be able to continue to stretch its budget well into the future.
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