Global Initiatives - Overview
Global Initiatives
The health of a community is the cornerstone of its success and well-being. With a defined focus in South America, East Africa and the Caribbean, International Medical Aid strives to improve the health of underserved individuals in these regions through mobile medical clinics, public health education programs and first responder training. Taking a holistic approach, IMA collaborates with local leaders to develop sustainable, community-led initiatives that address the root causes of disease and illness.
International Medical Aid deploys full-scale mobile medical clinics to bring much-needed healthcare to impoverished and underserved individuals around the world. IMA engages local practitioners and healthcare providers, guided by American medical direction and protocols, to conduct these clinics. This international collaboration fosters the exchange of knowledge while empowering local physicians, nurses and leaders to take charge of their community’s health. Implementation of IMA’s Mobile Medical Outreach follows a three-stage model developed by our founders at The Johns Hopkins University.
Health Care Delivery
Stage I
Primary Care and Wellness
- Providing annual physical exams to identify serious/life-threatening conditions
- Basic diagnostic testing to screen for opportunistic diseases
- Staffed by volunteer doctors from the United States
- Medical Direction will be maintained in the United States
- Follow-up conducted by local hospitals and coordinated by in-country staff
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Stage II
Secondary Care and Basic Diagnostics
- Secondary care provided by specialized physicians
- Advanced diagnostic testing introduced; off-site laboratory used
- Vaccinations provided for common diseases
- Volunteer doctors, medical consultants and nurses recruited from target countries
- In-country Medical Director will be appointed to coordinate and monitor follow-up care
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Stage III
Multi-Disciplinary Care and Advanced Diagnostics
- On-site diagnostic and imaging capabilities introduced
- Comprehensive medical, dental and vision services provided
- Volunteer dentists and dental assistants recruited from target country
- Volunteer ophthalmologists and optometrists recruited from target country
- Multi-specialty in-country Medical Direction will be appointed to coordinate and monitor follow-up care
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Public Health Education/First Responder Training
Working in local schools, community centers and rural environments, IMA conducts hygiene education programs targeted to children. These programs provide instruction on basic hygiene procedures and are led through a partnership between American and local educators. IMA develops curricula for these programs based on globally accepted standards and best practices.
Aimed at educators, healthcare providers, social workers and other community leaders, IMA provides accredited training in basic CPR (one- and two-rescuer), AED and choking (conscious and unconscious). In addition to this training, IMA recruits and educates community leaders to become certified First Aid Instructors, thereby greatly augmenting IMA’s reach.