June 23, 2014
The Central American women and children streaming into South Texas need medical
assistance and they need it now, says Texas Medical Association President
Austin King, MD, who traveled to McAllen to personally survey the crisis.
TMA is calling on President Obama and Governor Perry to provide
medical aid to the thousands of women and children who have traveled from
Central America to Texas. Many of these children have traveled alone without an
adult, while others have entered the United States with their mother. The
children traveling with their mothers often have a relative or friend in the United
States awaiting their arrival and can get through the immigration process
faster. They
then disperse throughout the country using public transportation without
knowing their immunization status and without a physical exam or health history
by a physician.
Texas physicians want to ensure every child and mother is vaccinated and
receives a thorough health examination — and soon. Dr. King explained,
“Communicable diseases know no borders, and it’s critical we make certain no
one is traveling with tuberculosis, pertussis [whooping cough], measles, or any
other contagious disease. Medical aid not only protects the Central American
refugees, but it also protects U.S. residents from potential serious and deadly
diseases.
“Taking
care of these oppressed people who have traveled days without food, water, or
bathing is the humanitarian and right thing to do. By helping them, we also are
helping our own residents stay healthy,” added Dr. King.
TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 47,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 112 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans.
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Contact: Pam Udall phone: (512) 370-1382 cell: (512) 413-6807
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Brent Annear phone: (512) 370-1381 cell: (512) 656-7320
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Last Updated On
June 17, 2016
Originally Published On
June 23, 2014