Health care workers, community hold prayer to call for SUNY Downstate to stay open
Advocates say its now on the community to keep fighting for their local hospital.
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Local leaders, concerned health care workers and community members gathered for prayer in East Flatbush to share their concerns on the status and potential closure of SUNY Downstate.
Many in attendance say that SUNY Downstate is more than just another hospital - they say its a home for people in need. There has been growing evidence that the hospital would close due to lack of funding and repairs, and some advocates even made their way up to Albany to fight to keep it open.
MORE: Protest in Albany looks to push back against SUNY Downstate closure plans
"I don't think there's any doubt right now that SUNY's plan is dead," said Fred Kowal, president of United University Professions. "What we need to do is come up with a real sustainable plan for the future to expand downstate for the work that it does already."
Sources at the prayer say that legislators are currently working to keep the hospital open for one more year for the sake of the community.
"What we hearing coming out from Albany is very encouraging but that's because we put the pressure on advocating," said Bishop Orlando Findlayter of the Bishop New Hope Christian Fellowship.
Advocates say its now on the community to keep fighting for their local hospital.
