On October 11, San Francisco Public Health Director Grant Coflax visited East West Medical Center in Chinatown to advocate for Proposition B, which will soon go to a vote. This proposition proposes issuing medical bonds to provide funding for several healthcare facilities within the city, specifically aimed at renovating aging medical infrastructure and enhancing the city’s ability to respond to public health crises.
Dr. Jianqing Zhang, the director of East West Medical Center, emphasized that the approval of Proposition B would not raise residents’ taxes. He asserted that the measure is crucial for both Chinatown residents and the overall healthcare system in San Francisco.
If Proposition B passes, the Chinatown Public Health Center will temporarily relocate to the fourth floor of East West Medical Center during construction, utilizing the high-quality medical facilities and environment already available at the center.
Dr. Zhang highlighted the hospital’s commitment to providing a multi-lingual healthcare environment for patients from Chinatown, ensuring that they remain within their community. He assured that patients will continue to have the same insurance systems and healthcare procedures in place. Aside from improvements to the medical environment and convenience, there will be no changes.
Li Dianbang, a representative from the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, noted that relocating the Chinatown Public Health Center to East West Medical Center is vital for retaining Chinese-speaking residents in the community.
As a key healthcare institution in Chinatown, East West Medical Center and the Chinatown Public Health Center have long provided essential health services to local residents. Chinatown is one of the lowest-income areas in San Francisco, with approximately one-third of its residents living below the poverty line. This underscores the importance of public healthcare facilities in ensuring the health and well-being of the local population. These institutions offer affordable medical services to many low-income families, seniors, and immigrants, ensuring they receive necessary medical support even when they cannot afford private healthcare.
Director Coflax stressed the urgency of renovating the Chinatown Public Health Center, noting, “This building has not undergone any major renovations since 1969 and poses significant earthquake risks. Passing Proposition B will help us improve the infrastructure of these facilities, ensuring that residents can receive medical services in a safe, modern environment.”
