FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343
HHS Deploying U.S. Medical Personnel to Haiti
HHS Activates National Disaster Medical System and U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has activated the National Disaster Medical System and the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. More than 250 personnel are in the process of deploying to Haiti and over 12,000 personnel could possibly assist in the coming days.
“HHS medical personnel from across the country are traveling to Haiti to provide emergency medical care,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “These experts will provide medical care to the injured and will support the public health response on the ground. Additional medical personnel will be deploying to Haiti to help address the critical health issues in the aftermath of the earthquake. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those who are suffering from this terrible disaster.”
The medical teams include doctors, nurses, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, emergency medical and surgical physicians, and other medical personnel from Georgia, California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Florida. An International Medical Surgical Response Team will provide care for severely injured patients and five Disaster Medical Assistance Teams will provide basic medical care. These personnel will be accompanied by 22,000 pounds of medical equipment and supplies.
In addition, experts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will assist with checking the water and food supply.
HHS is committed to supporting the medical and public health needs of the Haitian people. The department will continue to mobilize support staff and supplies as part of the integrated U.S. government response to the earthquake.
For the latest information, visit www.hhs.gov.
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