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Build The Clinic

By VVAW

Alex and Lorain Flannigan have been living in the rural Alabama town of Bogue Chitto for over 28 years now; and getting on in years -- health problems have developed. Mr. Flannigan has been having trouble with his vision for years now, and Mrs. Flannigan is deaf and suffering from pulmonary edema (heart trouble). The Flannigans are both on medication, but Mrs. Flannigan must rely on her husband to giver her the right pill at the right time. Recently, Mr. Flannigan's poor eyesight caused him to give his wife his medication instead of hers, nearly causing her death. After taking the wrong medicine for two days, the problem was discovered during one of the regular visits by the VVAW/WSO nurses living in Bogue Chitto.

The nearest emergency health care facility is in Selma, 25 miles away. For most blacks in Alabama like the Flannigans, it is too costly to even pay for a doctor's care, let alone for an emergency vehicle. And if you are pregnant, you have a choice between bearing the child at home, unattended by a doctor; or you can pay over $300 at either of the two hospitals in Selma which have obstetric wards. Unfortunately, most women in Bogue Chitto and the surrounding counties must rely on unattended home delivery, and as a result, many children die during or shortly after birth.

Transportation to Selma is a problem also. Mr. Flannigan recalled how he once caught the Mobile-Birmingham train from Bogue Chitto to Selma in the morning and rode the same train back in the evening. But that was before the train quit making that run over 20 years ago. Now Bogue Chitto residents must rely on the few cars belonging to friends (who may be gone to work or on errands during the day) or pay a high fare to ride in the car of a local citizen.

The health care system in the United States, unfortunately, is based both on profit and on maintaining a privileged position in our society. Consequently, good health care is a luxury for most people. But for black people in areas like Bogue Chitto, good health care is not only a question of money or professionalism -- it is also a question of race. VVAW/WSO is aiming at changing this situation through its national project, Operation County Fair (OCF). OCF is a project dedicated to building a health clinic in Bogue Chitto, providing longterm, free health care, and engaging in political discussion around the reasons for the health care system in the U.S. OCF became a national project in January, 1973 after VVAW/WSO was approached by community members asking for assistance.

Since that time, community members have formed a non-profit corporation under the name Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Clinic, with the help of VVAW/WSO. Progress on the Clinic has been slow for lack of money. But in the meantime, VVAW/WSO nurses living in the area have been making regular visits to families like the Flannigans, as well as offering their time to provide health education. Our nurses are also available to accompany community residents to doctors' offices to insure proper treatment; to carry out follow-up care; and to provide emergency care.

For more details; to schedule the color slide show; to receive a list of needed items; to donate money; or to inquire about volunteering your time, contact either the VVAW/WSO national office, or: Linda Regnier, R.N., Route #1, Box 109, Browns, Ala 36724.

Good Health Care is a Human Right!!