The Infectious Disease Clinic, based in Westland, is the only one if its kind in Wayne County. Working in collaboration with Wayne State University, the Detroit Medical Center and its HIV/AIDS program, the clinic is part of the Oakwood Healthcare System. Although patients with other infectious diseases are also tested and treated there, the IDC is staffed with physicians specializing in HIV/AIDS, as well as with social workers and counselors.

The clinic, funded by the Ryan White CARE Act, serves about 100 patients from Westland and neighboring communities such as Wayne and Inkster; people also come from communities such as Canton Township and Dearborn.

The clinic provides free medical care. "We see people from all different backgrounds who don't have insurance," said Shannon Payne, a registered nurse at the IDC. "Some people are working but their jobs don't offer insurance or some people are working for themselves and can't afford insurance." The clinic is seeing more HIV infections among those age 50 and older and among African-American women, Payne said.

Currently open for patients on Tuesdays only, the IDC will extend office hours if its client base increases. Payne and Dr. James Sunstrum, head of the clinic, make it a point to develop relationships with their patients and will visit them in the hospital.

For more information about the IDC, telephone (734)727-1115.

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