BUREAU OF PRIMARY CARE SERVICES

The Guam Community Health Centers (Northern and Southern Region Community Health Centers) (NRCHC and SRCHC) are both under the auspices of the Bureau of Primary Care Services (BPCS). The Administrator of the BPCS serves as the Executive Director of both NRCHC and SRCHC. The Board of Directors assumes the governance and fiduciary responsibilities of the Community Health Centers.

The Bureau of Primary Care Services aims to reduce health disparities by providing comprehensive primary health care to the underserved, indigent, and uninsured populations who are most in need of assistance and least able to find it.

History

The Guam Community Health Centers, Federally Qualified Centers, are multi-specialty primary care clinics. The Southern Region Community Health Center (SRCHC) has been in existence for 27 years, first opening its doors in 1984, and the Northern Region Community Health Center (NRCHC) was established in 1998.

Mission

The mission of the BPCS is to improve the health status of the people of Guam and provide leadership in health information and surveillance, assurance of a healthful environment, and promotion of community partnerships.

Vision

The vision of the BPCS is to improve the health of Guam’s community by empowering patients to be responsible for their health and offering quality patient care.

Target Population

The target population for the Guam Community Health Centers consists of the low income, uninsured, and medically underserved population. Specific groups within the target population include children 0-11 years old (including children with special health care needs); adolescents (including youths confined in a correctional facility); women of child bearing age with health risk factors; pregnant women including adolescents; the elderly (55 years and over); individuals staying in emergency or transitional shelters for the homeless; individuals living in substandard housing units; public health patients (i.e., patients with communicable, infectious, sexually transmitted, and chronic diseases); Federated States of the Micronesia and Marshallese citizens; and immigrants. Ambulatory medical needs of the target population are addressed at the centers.

Community Health Care Center Services

The Southern and Northern Region Community Health Centers provide primary healthcare, acute outpatient care, and preventive services to the community. Family practitioners, pediatricians, internists, nurse practitioners, and other health professionals provide a full range of essential primary care services.

Primary Care Preventive Services

• Prenatal and Postpartum Care
• Women’s Health (OB/GYN Care)
• Well Baby Care
• Child Health
• Immunization
• Adolescent Health
• Adult Care
• Minor Surgery and Wound Repair
• TB Test
• Directly Observed TB Therapy
• Early Periodic Screening and Diagnostic Testing for Children (EPSDT)
• Family planning Services
• Cancer Screening
• Communicable Disease Screening and Treatment (HIV, TB, STD, etc.)
• Chronic Disease Care (Hypertension, Diabetes, Heart Diseases, etc.)

Support Services

• Diagnostic Laboratory Services
• Pharmacy Services
• Vision Screening
• Community Outreach Services
• Health Education Services
• Nutrition Health Services
• Case Management
• Eligibility Assistance
• Home Visiting Services
• Translation Services

Social Services

• Medical Social Services
• Food Stamps
• Medically Indigent Program
• Medicaid Program
• Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) Program