HEALTH DEPARTMENT OPEN HOUSE TODAY

SIKESTON -- The Scott County Health Department has combined its celebration of National Public Health Week with an open house of its new branch office in Sikeston, 919 E. Malone.

Warren Manning, health department administrator, said the open house will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.

The new office is much bigger, Manning said, providing more space for the various services offered by the department.

Those services include family planning, pregnancy testing, case management of pregnant women and pre-natal, well-baby and immunization clinics. The department also does testing and counseling on sexually transmitted diseases, blood pressure checks and flu shots.

During the open house, there will be displays of programs and historical pictures of the department's contribution to the health of county residents, Manning said.

"In today's society, public health programs and services are needed to ensure the best possible health for everyone," Manning said.

"Providing safe living and work environments, developing methods to immunize against infectious diseases, maintaining good nutritional standards and having good prenatal care for everyone are essential to a healthy community," he said.