Needs Still Great, Supplies Still Few in Puerto Rico
We held a community clinic at a local church in a Loiza today. We had an incredible turnout, it felt like we saw the entire community. Most of our patients were diabetics needing medicines, people with hypertension, a few colds and flu. The benefit to the community is measurable and the people are so grateful.
Today, my husband, Dr. Neil Shocket, and myself are completing our volunteer assignment with Project HOPE in Puerto Rico. It feels sad because I know there is so much more to be done, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that a nice shower and a soft bed to sleep on is sounding pretty good at this point (and no mosquitoes)!
We held a community clinic at a local church in a Loiza today, a town HOPE has been working in since Hurricane Maria hit because of the need and the lack of access to health care residents now have because of the storm.
We had an incredible turnout, it felt like we saw the entire community.
Most of our patients were diabetics needing medicines, people with hypertension, a few colds and flu.
The benefit to the community is measurable and the people are so grateful.
We also made our daily Walmart stop this morning and bought tons of personal hygiene supplies to give away. The sad thing is there has been no water to be found for the last three days!
On the U.S. assistance front, we have seen a few planes fly along the shoreline. I am sure there is help on the ground but none of us has seen it.
As Neil and I, and several other Project HOPE volunteers return home, a new team of RNs, nurse practitioners and doctors will continue providing health services and hygiene awareness in the hard-hit municipality of Loiza and delivering supplies and medicines to those who still need help.
Thank you to Project HOPE and the lifesaving work they do and thank you for letting Neil and I be a part of providing health care and support to so many in need after Hurricane Maria.
