This spring break a team from Denver
College of Nursing volunteering with International Medical
Relief embarked on a transformative global health mission to
the Philippines, embodying the
spirit of compassionate care and making a tangible impact on
underserved communities.
DENVER, April 30,
2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- International Medical
Relief (IMR) and Denver College of
Nursing (DCN) provide free medical care in the Philippines.
Volunteering to help others as a nurse, both domestically and
internationally, stands as the pinnacle of service. This spring
break a team from Denver College of
Nursing and International Medical Relief embarked on a
transformative global health mission to the Philippines, embodying the spirit of
compassionate care and making a tangible impact on underserved
communities.
Led by IMR Clinic Director, Phillip
Caballa, and DCN faculty member, Dr. Angela Richard, and nine pre-licensure BSN
students provided essential healthcare services to remote areas of
the Philippines. The expedition
took the team to Barangays Marbatuan and Mebio, where they
encountered communities in dire need of medical attention. These
areas, home to the Manabo tribe, often lack access to basic
healthcare facilities, with residents enduring hardships such as
malnutrition and limited sanitation facilities.
Despite the challenges, the team worked tirelessly to deliver
comprehensive care to over 500 patients who lacked regular access
to healthcare services. Through stations dedicated to community
education, vital signs and triage, physician assessment and
treatment, pharmacy services, and laboratory testing, the team
addressed a myriad of health issues ranging from chronic conditions
like hypertension and diabetes to acute ailments such as infections
and wounds.
IMR President and Founder, Shauna
King stated, "The Barangay tribes lead humble lives devoid
of modern amenities like running water relying on communal bonds
and familial ties to navigate their daily lives. This limited
resource setting is composed of beach, jungle and mountainous areas
where people walk from the barrios to care for their needs. As
field laborers and fisherman, they rarely make it to the city and
go years without healthcare."
Reflecting on the experience, Andrea
LeClaire, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, shared, " I have been on several
global health trips with hospitals and schools. This trip was the
best one yet! We learned so much about the culture and the food and
accomplished holistic care. The organization, staff, and supplies
provided by IMR allowed the population to be treated effectively,
and we felt we had made a difference."
The impact of their work extended beyond mere medical treatment.
At the community education station, nursing students imparted
invaluable knowledge on topics such as hygiene practices and oral
care, empowering locals to take charge of their health and
well-being.
Through their unwavering dedication, the team not only provided
critical healthcare services but also fostered a sense of hope and
solidarity within the communities they served. Their efforts
exemplify the transformative power of healthcare professionals
coming together to make a positive difference in the world.
IMR recruits qualified, licensed, and vetted medical
professionals from around the world. We are in need of medical
volunteers for this and all of our initiatives. For more
information about IMR's mobile clinics or how to donate to our
efforts, please visit https://www.imrus.org/ or call
970-635-0110.
About International Medical Relief: IMR is a major non-profit
organization that provides access to medical care in underserved
and vulnerable communities around the world, improving the health,
wellness and quality of life of populations most in need.
Since IMR was founded in 2002, more than 70,000 volunteers --
composed of licensed medical, vision, and dental professionals, as
well as non-medical volunteers -- have served in vulnerable
communities around the world and treated more than 800,000
individuals. IMR delivers $68 million
worth of free healthcare services annually, where over 98.5 cents of every dollar donated goes directly
towards our missions. IMR averages over 100 clinics annually in 92
countries.
Media Contact
Mary Lou Vollmer, International
Medical Relief, 1 (970) 635-0110,
office@internationalmedicalrelief.org,
https://internationalmedicalrelief.org
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SOURCE International Medical Relief