MILLWOOD, Va., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical volunteers from Project
HOPE evaluated and treated more than 9,200 Indonesian patients and performed
over 17,000 medical procedures aboard the USNS Mercy in the aftermath of the
tsunami, the humanitarian relief organization said today.
The two-month humanitarian aid mission not only helped to restore hope to
the region but also demonstrated America's good will in the process.
The Project HOPE effort involved 200 healthcare professionals from across
the country volunteering their time to provide healthcare services in support
of the U.S. Navy's Operation Unified Assistance on USNS Mercy, a navy hospital
ship.
"Through the unique utilization of the U.S. Navy's hospital ship Mercy,
combined with the volunteer medical staff provided by Project HOPE, we showed
the best of what America is all about by projecting humanity to this
devastated area," stated Admiral James A. Lyons, former commander in chief of
the U.S. Pacific Fleet. "This humanitarian mission focused on restoring the
lives of Indonesians regardless of religious affiliations. By the unselfish
acts displayed by the Mercy crew and the volunteer medical staff, a major step
forward was taken in our efforts to win the hearts and minds of the Indonesian
people."
Project HOPE volunteers administered 220 immunizations, performed 654
dental exams, completed 4,804 optometry exams and filled thousands of
prescriptions.
"The Project HOPE volunteers serve not only as healers and health care
providers, but as the best sort of American Ambassadors," said John P. Howe,
III, M.D., president and CEO of Project HOPE. "Through this mission we saved
lives, repaired families and restored the capacity of the local medical
provides to care for their fellow citizens. Equally important, we are showing
the wary people of this region that Americans are thoughtful and caring."
Terror Free Tomorrow, an organization which promotes a new strategic
framework to defeat global terrorists by undermining the support base that
empowers them, conducted a recent poll that showed the positive changes in
attitudes toward America among Indonesians. The key findings indicate that 65
percent of Indonesians now are more favorable to the United States because of
the American response to the tsunami, with the highest percentage among people
under 30.
With the stabilization of the emergency medical needs of the people of
Indonesia, Project HOPE has turned its attention to addressing the long-term
health needs of the people. An assessment of the health system in the tsunami
aftermath has documented severe damage to facilities, substantial loss of
staff and has identified on-going deficiencies in the health services. The
increased health risks and need for services of the affected population will
impact the country for many years.
As a result of these findings, Project HOPE, as part of an international
development team, is now re-establishing the Abidin Hospital as a premier
health institution in Banda Aceh. Among other things, Project HOPE will
replace equipment lost or destroyed by the disaster and provide health
education training to the staff. At the same time, Project HOPE will improve
the lives of women and children in the province of Nagan Raya, south of Banda
Aceh by providing community-based training for mothers, technical training for
the community-health workers and midwives, and training and support for the
health centers and health management infrastructure.
Project HOPE began in 1958 with the first peacetime hospital ship, the SS
HOPE, donated by President Eisenhower. Its maiden voyage was to Indonesia.
Today, Project HOPE conducts land-based medical training and health education
programs in 34 countries across five continents. For more information about
Project HOPE, visit http://www.projecthope.org.
CONTACT: Lori Allesee of Project HOPE, +1-540-837-2100, or
lallesee@projecthope.org.
SOURCE Project HOPE
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Related links:
http://www.projecthope.org
CONTACT:
Lori Allesee of Project HOPE,
+1-540-837-2100, or lallesee@projecthope.org
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