The Samaritan’s Purse ministry, founded by the, now dead, pastor Billy Graham, dispatched a 68-bed hospital plane to Milan, Italy, to help care for those infected with the covid-19 coronavirus.
The ministry’s mobile hospital moved on Tuesday (17) and carried around 20 tons of medical equipment, a respiratory assistance unit developed specifically for the coronavirus, and 32 rescuers, including doctors and nurses, who will remain in the country for at least one month, according to the official website.
“We are always ready to provide critical relief from the crisis,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse.
“We are going to Italy to provide life-saving care to suffering people. There is a lot of fear and panic in the whole world, but we trust that God is in control. We continue to pray for all those affected by this global health crisis and for our medical team as they respond,” added Graham.
First international Christian organization to provide medical aid to Italy
Samaritan’s Purse is the first international organization to provide emergency medical aid to families affected by this deadly virus in northern Italy.
Today (20), the Samaritan’s Purse Emergency Field Hospital, specially equipped with a respiratory care unit, was opened in Cremona, Italy.
They are providing specialized emergency medical care, staff are working alongside local evangelical churches and chaplains to provide spiritual comfort and hope that is only found in the Gospel.
Sharing the hope of Jesus Christ along with medical experience
“We have an amazing staff ready to do this and share the hope of Jesus Christ along with their medical experience,” said Edward Graham, the youngest son of Franklin Graham.
Our infectious disease experts have been working in coordination with the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure that the team takes the necessary precautions.
In addition to what has already been shipped, the Samaritan’s Purse DC-8 will transport a second load of medical supplies along with disaster response teams to Italy on March 21.
Food, water, shelter, and medicine in the Name of Jesus Christ
Based in Boone, North Carolina, Samaritan’s Purse responds to the physical and spiritual needs of people in crisis situations, especially in places where few work.
Operating since 1970 and currently led by President and CEO Franklin Graham, Samaritan’s Purse works in more than 100 countries to provide assistance to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution, providing food, water, shelter, medicine and other assistance in the Name of Jesus Christ.
Italy is among the countries that suffer the most from the global pandemic. The death toll from the “Chinese virus” has already surpassed even victims in China. According to the balance of the Italian authorities, published by the Reuters agency, Italy registered 3,405 deaths.
The set up of the @SamaritansPurse Emergency Field Hospital in Italy is nearly complete. I’m grateful for our staff who have been working around the clock to prepare this mobile hospital for patients suffering from COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/3eXZmdcxRg
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) March 20, 2020
CORONAVIRUS:
▶️A U.S. evangelical group sent a team with mobile field hospital facilities to Italy, to help the country cope with the growing demand of intensive care units.
👉Will Coronavirus Change Europe Permanently?https://t.co/laINio9KhO pic.twitter.com/M4qpRYPHhS
— The Voice of America (@VOANews) March 18, 2020
Our @SamaritansPurse Emergency Field Hospital is being set up now in Italy. Thank you to the Italian Air Force & the Lombardy Region Civil Protection volunteers for coming alongside our team to unload, haul, & put together this 68-bed facility to help care for #COVID19 patients. pic.twitter.com/qEHZtuKkyU
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) March 18, 2020
Our Emergency Field Hospital is being dedicated in Italy this morning. Our medical team will treat its first patients today. #coronavirus https://t.co/QUjmIG0Gtc pic.twitter.com/FsAAGnQTjv
— Samaritan’s Purse (@SamaritansPurse) March 20, 2020
Take a look at the work our @SamaritansPurse team is doing in setting up our Emergency Field Hospital in Italy. Please continue to pray for them as well as those who are suffering from COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/fsiMjuvaoH
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) March 19, 2020