Since the pandemic hit, Afya has delivered PPE and medical supplies to over 40 Federally Qualified Health Centers in New York, Florida, and Puerto Rico. Today we add Texas to that list.
March 2, 2021
By: Marissa Roberge, Social Media Intern
One of Afya’s primary areas of focus in the United States is Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). These are community-based health care facilities that provide primary care services in underserved areas. FQHCs can include Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Health Centers for Residents of Public Housing. FQHCs across the U.S. are critically under-resourced.
Since the pandemic hit, Afya has delivered PPE and medical supplies to over 40 FQHCs in New York, Florida, and Puerto Rico. Now, we are putting our expertise to use in support of Texas facilities that are in dire need after snow and freezing temperatures plagued the state last week.
On the ground, reports from Texans have been heartbreaking. Men, women, and children have frozen to death at home, hundreds have suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning and emergency rooms are without heat or clean water. So far, at least 70 people have died in storm-affected areas including an 11-year-old boy. In addition, Texas is still facing the global pandemic.
There are 73 FQHCs that operate more than 660 service delivery sites in Texas, many serving indigent, uninsured, and underserved people. The Texas Association of Community Health Centers told Afya that facilities serving the poorest and most vulnerable communities have experienced some structural damage due to flooding and burst pipes as well as consistent lack of resources and supplies that keep them from providing necessary healthcare services.
That’s where Afya comes in. We want to make sure these facilities can serve their communities’ unique needs during this crisis. Afya is mobilizing to deliver PPE, masks, gloves, and durable medical equipment to multiple networks of FQHCs in Texas, including Brownsville Community Health Center in Brownsville, Healthcare for the Homeless in Houston, Tyler Family Circle of Care in Tyler, CommuniCare Health Centers in San Antonio and many more.
Many of the healthcare facilities Afya is partnered with serve populations that are uninsured, unemployed, impoverished, and suffering from multiple crises. In addition to these hardships, some suppliers are suspending their service to smaller healthcare providers.
What began as a disaster recovery initiative has transformed into a partnership that will provide a safety net for these vulnerable FQHCs. Afya is mobilizing to send at least two trucks to Texas with customized, palletized supplies to care facilities. Without our shipment, many of these facilities will not receive the supplies they need.
Just $100,000 will allow us to deliver 40 pallets (2 truckloads) of vital medical supplies and equipment valued at over $300,000.
Join us in the Texas relief effort. Your donation will make aid delivery possible!