Infusion of Cash to Clinics, Hospital Augments
$13.7 Million, 32 tons of Medical Aid
Santa Barbara , CA, September 21
-- Direct Relief International today made three cash grants totaling $465,000
to support frontline health services in hurricane-affected areas of the
Gulf Coast.
These grants are the organization's most recent infusion of aid. Since September 2, Direct Relief has furnished more than 32 tons of medical material aid worth $13.7 million wholesale through 29 emergency shipments and $166,050 in other emergency cash grants to clinics.
"Health is among the many tremendous challenges that Katrina victims face, and we believe it is critical to support the frontline health facilities that are caring and will continue to care for the thousands of displaced people," said Direct Relief President and CEO Thomas Tighe.
The largest amount, $350,000, is for the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) for distribution to its member clinics in the affected region. NACHC will distribute 100% of all the funds to clinics based on needs assessments that have been performed over the past three weeks.
NACHC and Direct Relief adopted similarly strict policies regarding Katrina donations; both organizations are absorbing all administrative expenses associated with Katrina donations and activities to ensure 100% of the funds are applied to direct assistance.
"Community and free clinics are the health safety net for low-income people," said Tighe. "That net has been ripped, and many more people have been pushed into dire economic circumstances and will need their services. We are doing all we can to make sure that these safety net clinics can serve the people who need care."
A grant of $65,000 was made to Gulfport Memorial Hospital (GMH) in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Located in the hardest-hit area of the Gulf Coast, Gulfport Memorial Hospital withstood the brunt of the storm and has been pressed into significantly increased action. The hospital created a shelter for 800 persons and provided over 1,500 displaced persons with free prescription medications between August 30 and September 15. Direct Relief furnished two emergency shipments of pharmaceutical products valued at $65,000 during this period and made an initial cash grant of $50,000 to the hospital on September 9.
Direct Relief Vice President of Programs Chris Brady met with GMH's CEO last week. Approximately 500 members of the hospital's 2,200 staff lost their homes to the hurricane.
Today's grant will enable GMH to cover a portion of the expenses it has incurred in the aftermath of the hurricane and for its recently established medical call center that will serve Harrison and Hancock Counties for a period of three months. The call center provides information on available medical and pharmaceutical services as well as assessing the medical staffing needs of rural and surrounding areas, matching them to available medical personnel.
A grant of $50,000 was made to St. Landry/Evangeline United Community Health Center, Eunice, Louisiana(UCHC) to assist Hurricane Katrina-affected patients and facilities by purchasing an assortment of medical products and pharmaceutical dispensing supplies, and by arranging and covering the costs of lab test and X-ray services. UCHC will also be working to assist individuals with chronic illnesses to access patient medication assistance programs, and to provide education to individuals regarding self-care of chronic medical conditions.
Direct Relief worked with New Jersey based healthcare company BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) to provide extensive support to UCHC. On September 4, BD furnished the clinic with an extensive array of syringes, glucometers, strips, and other essential supplies needed by people with diabetes displaced by the hurricane.
Direct Relief has received $1.9 million in Hurricane Katrina donations and will continue to support the frontline health infrastructure of clinics, hospitals, shelters, and other organizations providing relief in the Gulf Coast region, including those affected by Hurricane Rita.