Thousands of Horry County residents are without medical insurance and can't afford to see a doctor. Friendship Medical Clinic & Pharmacy in Conway is able to help those people.
Nancy Jeffords of Myrtle Beach lives with various health problems including high cholesterol. Being on a fixed income makes it difficult for her to afford medical care and prescriptions.
"I was going to a regular doctor and I couldn't afford to go to her anymore," said Jeffords, "They were too expensive and my medicine was running up in the hundreds of dollars and I don't have any kind of insurance."
Friendship Medical offers treatment at a fraction of the cost of most doctors offices, but the volunteer doctors and pharmacists work to make sure the service is just as good.
"When you go into a regular doctor's office they're in a hurry; rush, rush rush. Here they're not. They take time to sit with you and talk to you," said Jeffords.
The clinic doesn't receive any federal or state funding, but because of donations they're able to fill nearly 800 prescriptions every month.
"Patients are seen by our volunteer physicians here, then we're able to fill their medications as well so that keeps them from having to go to a pharmacy," said volunteer pharmacist Patty Gresko.
The clinic helps nearly 3,000 patients a year with basic medical services, referrals and prescriptions at little to no cost.
All they ask for in return is a donation.
"Without donations, a lot of our patients would go without medicines," said Gresko.
A large portion of the money comes from the community, medical grants, and donations from organizations like the United Way.
With them, thousands of un-insured Horry County residents can receive the care they couldn't otherwise afford.
To learn more about Friendship Medical Clinic & Pharmacy or to find out if you qualify for care, visit their website at www.friendshipmedicalclinic.org.
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