Transforming the lives of rheumatic patients

For the past month, Fundación Maritere has been guaranteeing that none of its patients lacks medical treatment. We have a special team that is in charge of following-up patients and in case they cannot receive the medication physically at our medical center, family is contacted to go instead of them. We ensure that all of our patients receive medication, since in this kind of diseases, a constant provision of the correct medication is crucial to recover. We have been able to deliver medication to more than 12 patients weekly, mostly women between 18 and 60 years. This has been specially important in times of COVID, when our patients are more vulnerable than ever.

Carina, 38, single mother, recently mentioned: "This disease is complicated not only because you loose mobility but also because treatment is really expensive, but Fundación Maritere makes it possible." 

These past months, the situation for rheumatic patients has worsened due to COVID-19. On one hand, patients have started suffering the consequences of an economic crisis, limiting access to their treatment. On the other hand, being quarantined has also brought upon patients difficult emotional situations, such as depression, and anxiety to get on the streets. This has also complicated their access to medication and other treatments such as physiotherapy. For that reason, we have been looking to increase the amount of patients attended remotely, we have settled online and telephone support for them, as well as a system to provide medication directly in their houses when needed and videos on our facebook page to promote movement and physiotherapy at home. We have also allied with a group of businessmen and women to provide access to food for our most needed patients. 

Links:

• Facebook page with access to news and physiotherapy exercises