More women in San Diego are getting free or inexpensive health services during their pregnancies thanks to a border health program called California Border Healthy Start.
The Project Concern International runs this federally-funded program to help pregnant women get prenatal care.
"We want to be able to decrease infant mortality and increase access to pre-natal care as soon as we can get them enrolled in the program," said Dr. Maria Reyes of Project Concern International.
They target women who come from low-income families and have some kind of medical problem that may develop into a high-risk pregnancy.
It's a very hands-on program where health professionals and social workers get involved.
"We actually go to their homes and take care of the pregnant women before they deliver, at delivery and also after delivery until the child is two years of age," said Dr. Maria Reyes.
In addition to in-home visitations, the project workers refer the patients to one of the five clinics that are part of this project: La Maestra Community Clinic, Family Health Centers of San Diego, Operation Samahan, San Diego Family Care and Best Start Birth Center.
Local
"They range from Southeast San Diego, all the way from El Cajon to Logan Heights," added Dr. Reyes, "And a little bit to the southern area which is Spring Valley and National City."
Since the border health program started in 2007, it has provided care to over 500 women and children.
With a new $1.5 million federal grant, they are hoping to expand their services to areas where the women may need the pregnancy health care the most.
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