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Christian Doctors Providing Relief Work to the Philippines

Contact: Margie Shealy, 423-844-1047, 423-341-4254 cell, margie.shealy@cmda.org; www.cmda.org  

 

BRISTOL, Tenn., Nov. 18, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Global Health Relief, a ministry of Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA) headquartered in Bristol, Tennessee, announced today it will be sending a relief team to provide medical care to the people affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. A five-member scout team led by CMDA's CEO David Stevens, MD, will leave Wednesday, November 20 to assess the medical needs in the Baybay City area which has a population of more than 100,000. Following the assessment, CMDA will coordinate waves of medical teams to provide assistance over the next several months as needed.

 

"We have been asked by the International Office of the Salvation Army and the World Health Organization to provide medical teams to deal with the catastrophic destruction caused by the typhoon. The team's focus will be on an area that has received little help so far. We expect to be working at the District Hospital in Baybay," stated Stevens.

 

There are more than 7,000 islands in the Philippines, and the United Nations estimates that more than two million are now homeless due to the typhoon. An estimated 12,000 people have been injured, overwhelming the local healthcare system which has also been badly damaged.

 

"Disease is becoming a huge issue due to decomposing bodies, lack of food and clean water. It is still very difficult to get relief supplies into the affected areas due to impassible roads," stated Stevens. "Over the weekend there was mass spraying of chemicals against mosquitoes in an attempt to prevent disease, which is the greatest threat to people's health at this point."

 

Dr. Sam Molind will be coordinating support efforts in the U.S. while staying in touch with the scout team. "People outside of the Philippine city of Tacloban are fearful that aid will bypass them. Our focus will be on those areas. Our partnership with the Salvation Army will allow us to provide the medical care while they help with the logistics," stated Molind.

 

"Many of our physician members are preparing to go as soon as we give the word. But we also need nurses and pharmacists, and we are putting out a call to those who have participated with us on previous mission trips. Participants are paying their own air travel costs as part of their contribution to this effort, but money is needed for medicines, supplies and equipment," stated Stevens.

 

If you are interested in participating in this relief work, go to CMDA's website at www.cmda.org and click on the banner on the home page for Global Health Relief to find out more information and to submit an application. You can also participate by contributing to this endeavor financially by clicking on GIVE NOW located in the upper right corner of the website.

 

To schedule an interview, please contact Margie Shealy at 423-844-1047 or by email at margie.shealy@cmda.org. The Christian Medical & Dental Associations is equipped with Ku Band Digital Uplink satellite and ISDN lines.