Mar. 24, 2022
South LA health system is one of only eight organizations
in the nation to receive recognition
Willowbrook, CA – In a county with some of the highest tuberculosis (TB) cases in the nation, a small South Los Angeles health system serving the most vulnerable has received national recognition as a “champion” of quality TB care.
MLK Community Healthcare is one of only eight health organizations in the country recognized by the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) as a 2022 CDC U.S. TB Elimination Champion.
TB, a deadly airborne infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs, is one of the leading cases of illness and death worldwide. According to the LA County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) LA County has recorded some of the highest TB case numbers in the U.S. with 2020 case rates highest among Latinx, Asian, and Black multigenerational households.
“We are proud to show that even in highly affected areas, even during COVID, we can make a real difference in the lives of patients with TB, said Evanson Mukira, MLKCH’s Director of Infection Prevention and Control.
MLK Community Healthcare serves a highly vulnerable community that is affected by health inequity and disparities. When the COVID-19 pandemic was at its worst, the MLKCH Infection Prevention team continued to prioritize TB care, reserving rooms for TB patients even as hospital beds were in short supply. In collaboration with LACDPH, MLKCH provides care for TB patients in the hospital as well as after they are discharged to ensure they complete their treatment.
MLKCH supports patient’s medical, mental health and social needs, connecting them both to physical and behavioral health specialists as well as to community resources that can aid in recovery. Together they provide a smooth return to the community for the patient while protecting the community at large.
Learn more about the CDC’s U.S. Tuberculosis Elimination Champions here. Learn more about MLKCH and its mission to provide high-quality care to the medically-underserved community of South LA, visit mlkch.org and follow us on social media @yourMLKCH.
About MLK Community Healthcare: MLK Community Healthcare is an integrated healthcare delivery system that provides quality care to the medically underserved community of South Los Angeles. MLKCH offers emergency and inpatient care through its hospital, and primary and specialty care through the MLK Community Medical Group, with practice sites in three locations throughout South LA. MLKCH also offers community health education and outreach to improve the health of our community. Since its opening in 2015, the hospital has earned awards and headlines for its innovative approaches to quality, safety and patient satisfaction.
MLKCH Media Contact:
Roxanne Romero-Agredano
424-296-3735