(ROTARY DISTRICT 6920, EAST, CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA) Rotary District 6920’s Saving Lives with Medicines program, in partnership with MAP International has made a significant local impact by partnering with 6 community clinics in the region, reaching 4,942 patients, and providing 10,831 treatments and $608,000 in services to date.
Launched in October 2017, the Saving Lives with Medicines program has provided access to free medications to more than 4,900 patients across 6 clinics. Rotary Club of Savannah serves as the lead club in the effort, with a total of 28 Rotary Clubs participating. Clinic partners include: Partnership Health Center of Valdosta, The Mercy Ministries of Lyons, Diversity Health Center of Hinesville, Ludowici, and Jesup, St. Vincent De Paul Health Center of Augusta, Coastal Community Health Services of Brunswick, Good Samaritan Clinic at St. Joseph’s/Candler of Savannah, and St. Mary’s Health Center of Savannah.
The program anticipates JOY Clinic in Dublin, GA to be its 7th clinic partner once fully implemented.
Patients who benefit from the Saving Lives with Medicines Program demonstrate a clinical improvement in the management of their hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and asthma. In the first three years of the program, more than 50% served in each of these disease categories reported a clinical improvement. From January to March of 2021, patients demonstrated the following improvements: 68% improvement with hypertension, 92% improvement with diabetes, 81% improvement with high cholesterol, and 92% improvement with asthma.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, clinic partners were provided with critical COVID-19 relief supplies. In addition to providing ongoing primary care, many of these clinics are COVID-19 testing and/or vaccination sites. In the first quarter of 2021, the following supplies were provided: 700 masks, 15,140 gloves, 1,000 KN95 masks, 6 digital thermometers, 2 infrared thermometers, 50 pairs of protective eyewear, and 550 disposable protective gowns.
ABOUT ROTARY INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 6920
Rotary International is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who come together to make positive, lasting change in communities at home and abroad. Our guiding principles have been the foundation of our values: service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership. Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Rotary District 6920 consists of 61 clubs with a membership of over 3000 Rotary members scattered throughout southeast Georgia including Macon, Augusta, Valdosta, Brunswick, Camden County/KingsBay, Tifton, and Savannah. Learn more at https://www.rotarydistrict6920.org/.
ABOUT MAP INTERNATIONAL:
MAP International is a Brunswick-based global health organization providing hope to millions of people around the world for over 65 years. They bring medicines and health supplies to those in need so people might experience life to the fullest. Please visit www.map.org to learn more.
MEDIA CONTACT
Marjorie Young
Rotary District 6920, Public Image Chair 2021-22
marjorie@carriagetradepr.com
912-844-9990