PAMS Para el Perú (PPP)

PPP continues helping PAMS Missions and the Disaster Relief Fund to purchase and distribute goods, including oxygen concentrators and PPE, to serve various communities seeking COVID-19 aid in Perú.  PPP diligently followed up on multiple contracts, submissions, and agreements to be completed amid COVID-19 office closures, including the agreement with the Ministry of Health (MINSA).     

Ministry of Health - MINSA

Dr. Oscar Miranda, the Executive Director of PPP, signed the agreement with the Ministry of Health.   and PAMS was signed in May thanks to the efforts of Dr. Oscar Miranda with PAMS Para el Perú. Some PAMS board members met with the Director of the Cancer and Prevention Program.  PAMS shared the Gastric Cancer webinar presentations and publications done earlier this year, and a study by Dr. Valdivieso on potable water contamination by Helicobacter pylori in Lima.  PAMS also expressed the difficulties Missions have in importing medical equipment and supplies to help Peruvians in need.

Colegio Médico del Perú

Our agreement of collaboration with the Colegio Medico is up for renewal in September.  The CMP supported the PAMS webinars as a co-sponsor. As our medical missions consider returning to Perú, we will use the established system of obtaining the Temporary Medical License for PAMS physicians.  We will continue negotiations to request an amnesty for waiving the fees of Peruvian doctor volunteers.  The Colegio Medico has felt the great loss of hundreds of physicians who have passed from the COVID-19 pandemic.  We extend our condolences to those who have lost colleagues, friends, and family members.  

Disaster Relief & Medical Missions

PAMS Missions, Chapters, and the Disaster Relief Fund have been able to provide over $200,000 in aid to Perú this fiscal year.  PAMS Missions and Disaster Relief provided aid ranging from Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), oxygen concentrators and handwashing stations, to mental health counseling.  However, we did see a drop in the aid provided as COVID-19 lingers and the vaccination rates in Perú make slow progress.  We are fortunate that PAMS members and friends continue donating to PAMS Missions, Auxiliary, Polyclinic, and Disaster Relief Fund.

PAMS Chincha Polyclinic

The Polyclinic celebrated its 10^th Anniversary of opening in June of 2021.  The Polyclinic continues serving the community of Chincha, making changes to adapt to COVID-19 requirements.  The old x-ray has been replaced by a new x-ray machine thanks to the generous donation from Dr. and Mrs. Walter Janke.  After significant effort, the occupational medicine permit was renewed, and the new x-ray machine made it possible to perform evaluations for workers in the community.  Improvements were made to the optic center, pharmacy and laboratory to provide better service to patients and families.  Facility needs repairs and improvements to the roof and entrance. 

Volunteer Travel Coverage and Short-term Medical Professional Liability Coverage

The insurance program that was started last year will be available as Mission Directors make plans for the upcoming year.  It is now possible to add extra COVID-19 coverage for an additional fee.  This coverage is made available to PAMS Missions by funding from the PAMS Endowment Fund.  

PAMS Membership

Our membership is growing, we now have 270 Active members.  We had 35 applicants for PAMS membership, and we accepted 32 new members.  In comparison, last year we had 26 new applicants.  One of the biggest challenges is the annual membership renewal process.  We are evaluating an automatic renewal system that is used by other membership organizations to make it easier for our members to renew.

The New Member Committee is requesting a reduced fee for Associate Member Living in Perú.  We already have a reduced membership fee for Full Members Living in Perú.  During the pandemic, several missions have received tremendous support from health-care workers and non-medical personnel that have been involved first-hand in the process of obtaining and delivering PPE and medical supplies to communities throughout Perú.  

Educational Webinars

The Education Committee scheduled eight webinars for 2021, including the two presented at the Annual Convention.  The Peruvian medical journal, Diagnostico, has accepted articles for publication related to the webinars.  The webinars continue attracting audiences to include physicians, medical students, and associated health-care personnel throughout Latin American and the U.S.  The webinars have been co-sponsored by the Colegio Medico del Peru, Associación Peruana de Facultades de Medicina, Peruvian Society of Nephrology, Peruvian Society of Arterial Hypertension, Cayetano Heredia University, San Marcos University, University of Santa Maria in Arequipa.  

This year, PAMS applied for CME Credits through the American Academy of Family Physicians for PAMS members who attend the webinars.  Full Members receive CME Credits and other PAMS members (Associate and Courtesy Members) receive Participation Certificates.  The CMEs are available through the PAMS website as a no-cost benefit to members.  Consider making a donation to the Education Fund to cover expenses of the Zoom webinars and CME accreditation.   

PAMS Website

The new website that was launched last year is allowing us to add new features that are of benefit to our members.  In addition to having the membership process completely online, members can update their personal profiles, renew their memberships, and make donations that are recorded directly to their transaction history.  This feature allowed us to send a donation report for tax purposes to everyone member who had an email address listed in their contact information.  We received great feedback about this feature.

In the coming year, we will finish the development of a volunteer system that will allow PAMS Missions to post information about their upcoming trips and recruit medical and/or non-medical personnel.  

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE 

Everyone in our organization plays a role in its success.  Talk to your colleagues about joining, and please consider donating to the PAMS Fund so our work can continue.  There is much work to do, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic.  

I extend my sincere appreciation to the Board of Directors, Mission and Program Directors, Committee Chairs, PAMS members and volunteers for all of their time and commitment.  It has been my honor to serve as president for these past two years. 

Ronald Mera, MD
PAMS President 

2019-2021