IMG Responds to Haiti Earthquake

(INDIANAPOLIS – JANUARY 13, 2010) - Following the powerful earthquake in Haiti, International Medical Group® (IMG®), an Indianapolis-based international travel and medical insurance group, responded immediately and began assisting its customers affected by the disaster. IMG provides medical and travel insurance to a variety of clients in Haiti, including missionaries, short-term mission groups, volunteers, travelers, expatriates, and government officials.

According to IMG, it has been working with customers in Haiti and many are reporting first hand the substantial damage within the country.

“Our initial news is of the mass devastation,” said Joseph Brougher, President of IMG. “We have representatives in Haiti and we are working with service providers and military personnel in coordinating medical evacuations of several of our customers that require immediate treatment for life-threatening injuries.”

The 24 hour clinical staff of IMG’s medical management service division, Akeso Care Management® (ACM®), is assisting those in need of immediate service, as well as working with those not requiring emergency evacuations due to injuries. ACM’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jonathan Hart, has directly dealt with several natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina.

“We’re currently working with cases of those severely injured and are expecting to see additional requests from those not wounded by the earthquake, but who fall ill with the ongoing impact of food and water shortages,” said Dr. Hart.

The extensive damage from the earthquake has created significant communication problems with those in Haiti. According to Mr. Brougher, “We’ve been working through the limited communication sources that are available, ranging from social networks to satellite phones. Whatever it takes to get our customers taken care of is our focus right now. As we were during the tsunami in South Asia and other global disasters, we are fully equipped and prepared to help our customers. Their safety is our number one priority.”