Humanitarian medical aid organization sends critically needed supplies to
clinics, fire and rescue in affected areas
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Direct Relief International today increased emergency medical supplies to safety-net clinics and has extended offers of assistance to regional hospitals in Southern California, where uncontained fires have forced 500,000 people to evacuate their homes.
The organization has supplied 11 community clinics with inhalers, particulate masks, and nebulizers to treat patients experiencing respiratory difficulties from the smoke, ash, and dust kicked up by gusting Santa Ana winds. The organization also is providing personal care items for use by evacuees.
Direct Relief has been in direct contact with more than 50 regional safety-net clinics since Sunday and is coordinating response efforts with clinic staff, regional clinic associations, the statewide California Primary Care Association, the University of California, and county and state emergency response and medical officials.
The six clinics supplied today with specifically requested medical items are:
-- Imperial Beach Health Center, Imperial Beach
-- Neighborhood Health Care, Escondido
-- OCRM/Orange County Rescue Mission, Santa Ana
-- San Ysidro Health Center, San Ysidro
-- San Diego Mid-City Clinic, San Diego
-- Vista Community Clinic, Vista
-- Nma Comprehensive Health Center, San Diego
CVS recently donated N-95 particulate masks to Direct Relief, and approximately 80,000 masks will be delivered tomorrow to San Diego Fire and Rescue which requested the masks and is helping to coordinate efforts in San Diego County.
Direct Relief also is drawing upon 25,000 inhalers in its inventory to respond to specific requests by medical staff at regional health facilities. Schering Plough donated the inhalers to Direct Relief.
Partner clinics are reporting an incr
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