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First Coast doctors bring in over 2,000 pounds of medical supplies for Bahamas relief efforts

Spearheaded by two doctors from Baptist Health, the drive for medical supplies will benefit a hospital in Freeport that was seriously damaged during Dorian.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Four planes loaded with more than 2,000 pounds of medical supplies took off from Northeast Florida Regional Airport Saturday morning, en route to provide medical relief in the Bahamas.

The planes, flown by local pilots, will deliver supplies to Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport. The hospital was seriously damaged by flooding during Hurricane Dorian, and much of the hospital's supplies and equipment are either destroyed or inoperable, said Dr. Richard Townsend of Baptist Health.

"It's critical because these people need medical care now," Townsend said. "They will obviously get more stuff from the Red Cross, but in the first month it's all about stabilizing that environment and we wanted to get the supplies where it was really most needed.

Townsend connected with the staff at Rand who told him the supplies they were in need of. With the help of a fellow doctor and friend from Baptist Health, Dr. Jeff Edwards, Townsend organized the drive and found a huge amount of local support.

"We could donate water and things like that, but what can we do that the average person can't?" Townsend said. "So we kind of concentrate on the medical portion of it."

RELATED: Local man gives Bahamian family refuge on the First Coast

He said Baptist Primary Care and Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute played a role in actually gathering the supplies together.

Edwards, a pilot of 40 years, flew his own plane full of supplies to Freeport Saturday morning.

"I have numerous medications, pain relievers, antibiotics, ointments, bandages, splints, personal hygiene items," Edwards said. "Things that we take for granted here that are desperately needed there."

With devastation widespread, getting around the islands is not necessarily easy.

"We had to apply to the Bahamian government to gain appropriate access or permission to land there," Edwards said.

Both Townsend and Edwards said that anyone who is interested in donating supplies should verify that the group or organization they are giving to is reputable and will get the supplies to the people who need it most.

RELATED: Kids start lemonade stand for those affected by Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas

RELATED: LIST: How the First Coast can help the Bahamas

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