89.9 FM Live From The University Of New Mexico
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

DOH To Close Public Health Center

Darko Stojanovich via Pixabay
/
Creative Commons

Budget woes at the New Mexico Department of Health are forcing a public health office in Albuquerque to close. 

The Alamosa Public Health clinic in southwest Albuquerque provides immunizations, STD screening, family planning and other services. Clients seeking help there are often low-income or uninsured.

The Department of Health is planning to shutter the Alamosa Public Health clinic, though other health services in the building will remain open. The closure comes after the Legislature decreased the department’s budget for next year.

State Rep. Javier Martinez says he was surprised to learn that DOH decided to close this clinic.

"It’s one of the very few public health clinics in the area, and its closure could really bring a whole lot of problems for an already marginalized community," he said.

A spokesman for the Department of Health did not answer KUNM’s request for comment. It’s not clear at this point when the Alamosa office will shut down, or whether other public health offices will be forced to close due to a lack of funding.

Ed Williams came to KUNM in 2014 by way of Carbondale, Colorado, where he worked as a public radio reporter covering environmental issues. Originally from Austin, Texas, Ed has reported on environmental, social justice, immigration and Native American issues in the U.S. and Latin America for the Austin American-Statesman, Z Magazine, NPR’s Latino USA and others. In his spare time, look for Ed riding his mountain bike in the Sandias or sparring on the jiu-jitsu mat.
Related Content