IMR begins assisting physicians in Puerto Rico

Approximately a month after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, a team from IMR will travel to work with physicians and nurses at the Medical Center in San Juan. The Medical Center and Department of Health have been key local responders to the medical crisis in nearby towns.

Blue tarps over homes damaged by Hurricane Maria

Puerto Rican physicians we’ve spoken to report widespread illnesses such as infectious diseases like scabies and conjunctivitis, as well as untreated chronic disease like diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure. All these left diseases left untreated can lead to severe complications. The fear of water-borne diseases exists and cases of Leptospirosis have been reported. Due to the continued lack of clean, potable water, there’s real concern of widespread infections.

We’ll spend a week working with the Medical Center teams. Thanks to the many who donated supplies and funding to help make this happen. Thanks to JetBlue and MAP International for in-kind donations.

This will be the first of many trips to help healthcare workers and the patients they care for. We’ll continue to return as long as we are able to help fulfill a need.