Medical Missions Program
Medical Missions are a flagship WOFKC program. Since 2004 we have been to many different countries but in 2013 we refocused our efforts in order to operate a SUSTAINABLE missions program. The details are discussed below and are central to all our medical mission plans, and our focus on two countries: Philippines and Dominican Republic.
PhilippinesWOFKC committed to a three year program of medical mission support to Mindoro, Philippines following an initial mission in 2016. In partnership with local hospitals, local government, volunteers and other charitable organizations, we have returned to Mindoro annually since. In 2017/18 we launched a diabetes care program that will continue to help patients long after we no longer return annually.
Our partnerships allow us to ship medications, medical equipment and other supplies into the region, knowing they will be well used after each mission. Training and assistance ensure transfer of skills and our programs to test for, and to treat chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension (along with education programs in these maladies) ensure long term improvement in the overall health of the population. We are committed to helping communities in the Philippines for many years to come and this will include the roll out of similar programs in other regions, learning the lessons learned in Mindoro to continually improve the long term health outlook for many people.
The ethos of helping individuals is still very much present and we are always looking for volunteers to travel whether on the medical, dental or administrative side. Missions are incredibly rewarding and often change those who serve almost as much as the patients we see! If you are interested in our mission program to the Philippines, please CONTACT US as we would love to talk to you! |
Dominican RepublicThe Dominican Republic provides many contradictions. As the home of some of the best baseball players in MLB, it is also the site (in the North and East) of many upmarket resorts. However there is a very high level of rural poverty, and great diversity in the availability of healthcare from modern, western hospitals to extremely basic local clinics and hospitals lacking even the most basic resources.
Since 2013 we have partnered with International Health Initiative (IHI) who have many year's experience in the DR. Our partnership has allowed us to marry in country expertise with that gained by WOFKC in the Philippines. Missions to the DR will be ongoing at least twice a year providing medical, surgical and dental care to needy populations around the mountain town of Constanza, in partnership with local organizations in Constanza and neighboring La Vega. |
Medical Missions provide immedaite help to many, but there are always those we can't get to see during the limited time we have available.
Our commitment to sustainability is key to the success of our mission program. In addition to serving patients during the course of our time in Country, we provide assistance designed to make a lasting impact.
These sustainable elements include provision of technology appropriate equipment, consumable items, training of local physicians, long term prevention programs such as diabetes education, screening and treatment and the promotion of nutritional information. This is of limited value without ongoing support in terms of medicines and treatment, and we work tirelessly to find medical staff as well as in country meds to meet the demands of the programs we initiate. This is supported by supply of meds from the US to supplement local sources.
Improving healthcare is a long term project - we are passionate about helping make a sustainable, and long term difference in the lives of those we serve.
Our commitment to sustainability is key to the success of our mission program. In addition to serving patients during the course of our time in Country, we provide assistance designed to make a lasting impact.
These sustainable elements include provision of technology appropriate equipment, consumable items, training of local physicians, long term prevention programs such as diabetes education, screening and treatment and the promotion of nutritional information. This is of limited value without ongoing support in terms of medicines and treatment, and we work tirelessly to find medical staff as well as in country meds to meet the demands of the programs we initiate. This is supported by supply of meds from the US to supplement local sources.
Improving healthcare is a long term project - we are passionate about helping make a sustainable, and long term difference in the lives of those we serve.