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Salem officials seek health clinic
City residents would no longer have to go to Lisbon for some clinics.
SALEM — Salem officials say city residents would get better help if Salem regains control of its health department.
Councilman Justin Palmer said Tuesday the city believes it can partner with Salem Community Hospital to provide more health-related programs.
City Treasurer James Armeni was a councilman when, in 1994, he voted in favor of turning over the city health department to Columbiana County.
At the time, the city health department was losing money, he said.
The health department had a budget of $140,000 a year but had receipts of only $41,000 a year.
Council has asked the county health department to make a contractual offer on continuing to run operations for Salem residents.
The city’s 10-year contract with the county expires May 31, 2009.
By law, the city, or the county under contract with the city, is to provide all plumbing permits; provide immunization clinics, including flu shots for seniors two full days each week in Salem; handle birth and death records and other functions.
Palmer said some of the immunization clinics were not done by the county health department.
Since the original contract with the county, city officials say the fees for various health-related services have gone up, which would increase revenue for the health department,
Armeni said, “We can partner with the hospital to provide shots for the flu, hepatitis and the chicken pox.”
He added, “We think it will help the elderly and young kids.”
Having an active clinic here also will prevent city residents from having to travel to Lisbon for health clinics.
The city may be able to obtain space in the Memorial Building on East State Street for a health department.
City Fire Chief Jeff Hughes sent a letter in support of the change to Armeni. He said city firefighters must have annual immunizations and would save money getting them at a city health department instead of from private agencies.
wilkinson@vindy.com