'Newly-made poor' find relief at OBI medical clinic
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"The population that we are serving is not just those who were poor before Katrina, but thousands of newly-made poor . . . folks who had jobs, cars, homes, and health insurance," said OBI President Bill Horan.
Since April 3, 2006, Operation Blessing has provided free medical and dental services to more than 11,700 residents devastated by Hurricane Katrina and filled over 23,000 prescriptions free-of-charge.
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NEW ORLEANS - It only took one day and a category three storm to turn Darlene's life upside down.
On Friday, August 26, 2005, the kindergarten teacher of 27 years gave her class their weekend homework assignment, fully expecting to see them on Monday morning.
By Monday afternoon, however, Hurricane Katrina had flooded her school, destroyed her home, and claimed the life of her mother whose life-support machine failed when the generators at her nursing home flooded.
"This was a new reality check for me," Darlene said. "My insurance was gone, my school was gone, my job was gone, and my home was gone."
Darlene, like thousands of other New Orleans' residents, was now part of the group described by OBI President Bill Horan as 'newly-made poor.'
"The population that we are serving is not just those who were poor before Katrina, but thousands of newly-made poor . . . folks who had jobs, cars, homes, and health insurance," Horan said.
Since April 3, 2006, Operation Blessing has provided free medical and dental services to more than 11,700 residents devastated by Hurricane Katrina and filled over 23,000 prescriptions free-of-charge.
Dr. Dale Betterton, family practitioner and International Medical Alliance (IMA) medical director along with his wife Dorothy Davison, nurse practitioner and president of IMA, oversee the clinic.
"It's not uncommon day-after-day to hear people sit and cry and say, 'I worked across the street at the hospital 24 years. I had insurance, I had retirement, and it's gone'," Davison explained. "All the retirement systems have gone bankrupt. The people have no insurance and they have terrible illnesses which they probably are going to be uninsurable for."
Roughly one half of the patients treated at OBI's medical clinic suffer have high blood pressure, while approximately one fourth suffer from diabetes.
And although it's been over a year since Katrina hit, the need for healthcare remains ongoing.
"They're doing and providing what's absolutely needed, which is basic and primary-care services – access to a physician, which is big," said John "Jack" Finn, president of the Metropolitan Hospital Council.
Operation Blessing has committed to remain in New Orleans and continue providing free healthcare to residents through July 2007.
How You Can Help
Be a part of OBI's ongoing disaster relief efforts by making an
online donation to help those affected by the Gulf Coast hurricanes. For volunteer opportunities click here.
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