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HEALTH FACILITIES CONSTRUCTIONISSUEDisparities in health status are affected by access to health services. Health care services are constrained by the limited capacities of existing Indian Health Service (IHS) and tribal health care facilities. There is a significant need for expansion or replacement of many buildings. BACKGROUNDIndian health care services are provided in over 670 IHS and tribal health care facilites, located mostly in rural and isolated areas. Total space is over 1.7 million square meters, of which the government owns or leases 64% and the Tribes 36%. Additionally, to support health care services in remote locations, the IHS operates over 2,340 staff quarters units. For many Indian people, IHS-supported programs are the only source of health care. No alternative sources of medical care are available in many cases, especially in isolated areas. STATUSMany facilities are severely overcrowded, in part because existing facilities need to proportionately expand space to house the additional staff required to meet the increased health service needs. The average age of IHS health care facilities is greater than 32 years. Consequently, when a facility is replaced, the new one typically will be three times larger than the old one. This expansion provides space for some new services, but much of it is to accommodate existing staff and programs. As the Indian user-population increases, the need for health program space is significantly outpacing the space that is being replaced. OPTIONS/PLANS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONFor referral to the appropriate spokesperson, contact the IHS Public Affairs Staff at 301-443-3593. January 2012 |