A California-based volunteer medical group that started service in the Marshall Islands over 30 years ago is now expanding to many of the other United States-affiliated islands in the Pacific.
A California-based volunteer medical group that started service in the Marshall Islands over 30 years ago is now expanding to many of the other United States-affiliated islands in the Pacific.
Canvasback Missions is aiming to have five medical team visits to Ebeye and Majuro next year as it expands its services to Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia and possibly American Samoa.
An ear-nose-throat medical team visit for Majuro scheduled for this month was postponed due to faulty diagnostic equipment at Majuro hospital, and the visit has now been rescheduled for next February.
A gynecology team will also visit, after a team that visited earlier this year revealed they found cancers that are rarely seen at such an advanced stage on the United States mainland.
The co-founder of Canvasback, Jacque Spence, says it takes months to raise the funds to visit and to purchase the medical supplies, equipment and medicine, meaning advance planning is essential.