Medical mission to Trinidad and Tobago helps relieve lack of resources

With a team of about 70 medical, surgical, nursing and allied health colleagues, Reynold S. Agard, M.D., led a medical relief mission to his native Trinidad and Tobago, Sept. 1.

Approximately half of the mission members were Christiana Care Medical-Dental Staff members, employees, retirees or volunteers. The group comprised specialists in endocrinology, obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology, cardiology and pulmonology.

At the send-off reception at Christiana Hospital, the group was joined by Delaware Gov. Jack Markell and by Trinidad and Tobago’s ambassador to the United States Anthony Phillips-Spencer.

Under the auspices of the nonprofit Hands International, the mission set out to establish a mobile hospital in an area where doctors and medical resources are spread thin. They estimated they would be able to see approximately 6,000 patients in three days. Dr. Agard is a member of the board of directors of Hands International.

Christiana Care regularly provides material support and meeting space for medical missions, dating back to the 2010 support efforts of the Delaware Medical Relief Team after the earthquake in Haiti.