Medical volunteers need supplies to treat released migrants in El Paso

Hundreds of migrants are released from ICE custody every day and all of them need medical screenings; medical professionals from around El Paso have come together to help the immigration community.

The Annunciation House is processing thousands of migrants released from immigration custody every week, all of them spread out over fifteen shelter spaces, keeping everyone healthy has been a team effort.

It’s little more than one dozen medical volunteers helping the released migrants at one shelter ABC-7 visited.

Registered nurses, doctors, and nurse practitioners are all working together to screen the migrants, following up on their complaints of pain or fever. Organized by Professor Todd Curry from UTEP, there has been a steady stream of volunteers helping those who feel sick, there’s always someone on staff who is able to prescribe medication if needed.

With the shelters holding released migrants in joined quarters the main medical concern is the flu.

“Our main concern with them is, we’re really looking out for any patients that have any signs or symptoms of influenza. If they have any, if they’re demonstrating any signs or symptoms of that, like a high fever, we’re sending them, they’re being taken to the hospital,” said Susan Houghton, a Registered Nurse

If you are a medical professional who would like to help you can email Professor Curry, tacurry@utep.edu

The Annunciation House also needs funds to buy the medical supplies used. You can follow this link to donate money through their PayPal.