November 29, 2007. Tabasco, MX.  When devastating flood waters inundated Tabasco, Helping Hands Medical Missionaries responded with more than well wishing. They rolled up their sleeves and mobilized a miniature charity army with four mobile medical units offering services free of charge.

Each clinic on wheels has diagnostic medical equipment, from ultrasound and electrocardiogram machines to nebulization equipment and various kinds of medicines. There is also one doctor and one driver per clinic, plus a “virtual” team of medical consultants from centrally located clinics and hospitals who give specialized consultations via satellite communication.

Each mobile unit spends approximately one month in each location, offering service and care to the local people at no cost. From November 9th to the 23rd, the four mobile teams gave 1,117 free medical consultations, administered 321 cures, treatments, and medical procedures, gave 267 specialized ultrasound and electrocardiogram examinations, and administered 493 vaccinations with the support of Tabasco’s Secretariat of Health. So far, 6,656 medicines have been distributed to those in need.

The Helping Hands Brigades is a part of the Altius Foundation, which is an international organization started by the Legion of Christ with the purpose of combating poverty and relieving human misery in a lasting, effective way. Altius has offices in Monterrey, Mexico; Santiago, Chile; Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Barcelona, Spain.

In the United States, Altius works in partnership with Catholic World Mission, which is based in New York and Connecticut. Altius projects currently serve over 400,000 people worldwide. To learn more about the Altius Foundation, click here or send a message to info@altius.org.