More than 600 N95 masks and 750 disposable stethoscopes will be donated this week to several local and regional health care providers by a Coachella Valley nonprofit that does medical humanitarian missions to poverty-stricken areas, it was announced Tuesday.
Rancho Mirage’s IMAHelps on Monday began donating its swath of medical equipment that was previously earmarked for a mission to Jamaica before it was canceled earlier this month due to the coronavirus pandemic.
So instead, IMAHelps opted to offer the equipment to a local health care mission a little closer to home.
“Our mission this year is providing our local hospitals with the supplies they need to keep their health care professionals safe,” said Ines Allen, president of IMAHelps.
About $7,500 worth of equipment will be delivered to Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage; Desert Regional Medical Center and the Desert Aids Project, both in Palm Springs and Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda, said Jeff Crider, a spokesman for the nonprofit.
Other equipment to be sent to local health care centers includes disable gowns, goggles, shoe covers and cleaning wipes.
Founded in 2000 by Allen and her husband Tracey, IMAHelps has provided medical, dental, surgical and prosthetic care to more than 100,000 people in nine countries. The nonprofit has grown to comprise 130 volunteers who have combined to perform more than 2,500 surgeries.
For more information, visit www.imahelps.org.