New Downtown HIV Clinic Opens

A new clinic is providing health care and support for patients at all levels of HIV infection, from those who are asymptomatic to those who have contracted AIDS.

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation Clinics-Downtown, which opened June 11 at 1414 S. Grand Ave. on the campus of California Medical Center, offers a range of services, from HIV diagnosis and medical care for those at the earliest stages of infection to in-patient AIDS care.

A women’s clinic and psychosocial support services are also provided.

The foundation operates a similar clinic in Hollywood and also runs the Carl Bean AIDS Care Center in West Adams and the Chris Brownlie Hospice in Elysian Park.

The Downtown location was chosen to help serve the inner-city’s homeless, African-American and Latino populations, all of whom are experiencing increased numbers of HIV-infected patients, according to health officials.

“We know through research that the demographics are really shifting in terms of HIV infection,” said Cesar Portillo, a spokesman for the foundation.

Foundation officials expect to serve as many patients at the new clinic as they have at the Hollywood clinic, which served 1,700 people during its first two years of operation.

The nonprofit, community-based clinic is funded by state and federal AIDS funds and accepts all private and public insurance and assistance plans, including Medi-Cal. No patient is turned away for lack of money.

Information: (213) 741-9726.