Privacy Policy

Effective date: October 23, 2026

International Medical Aid Foundation (“IMA,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy and safeguarding the information you provide to us. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect through medicalaid.org and our programs, how we use it, who we share it with, and the rights you have with respect to your data. We will not use or share your information except as described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

Information you give us

• Personal identification information: name, email address, phone number, mailing address, date of birth, gender, and academic or professional background.
• Application and enrollment data: program preferences, essays, recommendations, travel information, passport details (when required), and other supporting documents.
• Payment information: credit card or bank details, processed through secure third-party payment processors. IMA does not store full payment card details.
• SMS consent and phone data: phone numbers and opt-in and opt-out consent records for SMS messaging (see Section 6).

Information collected automatically

• Log data: information your browser sends when you visit our website, such as your IP address, browser type and version, device identifiers, the pages you visit, the time and date of your visit, and the time spent on those pages.
• Cookies and similar technologies: see Section 3.

2. How We Use Your Information

• To process applications, confirm program participation, and manage your enrollment.
• To communicate with you about program updates, schedules, deadlines, and logistics.
• To respond to your requests and questions.
• To send newsletters and marketing information about IMA programs, scholarships, and opportunities, where you have given consent. You can opt out at any time with the unsubscribe link in any email or by contacting us.
• To support alumni engagement and community-building initiatives.
• To understand how our website is used and to improve our website, services, and programs.
• To comply with legal and regulatory requirements.

3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Cookies are small files that a website sends to your browser and stores on your device. They may include an anonymous unique identifier. We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Recognize returning visitors.
• Store your preferences.
• Measure site usage and improve performance.
• Support marketing and advertising campaigns.

Analytics. We use third-party analytics services, such as Google Analytics, to collect and analyze how visitors use our website. These providers have their own privacy policies that describe how they use this information. You can prevent Google Analytics from collecting your data by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

Advertising and remarketing. We may use remarketing services, including Google Ads, to show ads to people who have visited our website. We and these vendors use cookies to inform, optimize, and serve ads based on past visits to our website. You can adjust or opt out of personalized Google ads in Google Ads Settings. For more about Google’s practices, see the Google Privacy Policy.

Your choices. Where required by law, a cookie notice on our website lets you accept or decline non-essential cookies. You can also set your browser to refuse all cookies or to tell you when a cookie is being sent. If you turn off cookies, some features of our website may not work as intended.

4. Sharing of Information

• Service providers: vendors that help with admissions, payment processing, IT support, analytics, SMS delivery, email marketing, and travel logistics. They may access your information only to perform tasks on our behalf and may not use it for any other purpose.
• Partner institutions: universities, hospitals, clinics, or organizations that host IMA participants, only when necessary for program administration.
• Legal authorities: when disclosure is required by law, regulation, subpoena, or legal process, or when we believe it is necessary to protect the security or integrity of our services.
• Business transfers: in the event of a merger, reorganization, or acquisition, personal data may be transferred as part of the transaction.

We do not sell your personal information.

5. Links to Other Websites

Our website may contain links to websites that IMA does not operate. If you follow a third-party link, you will be taken to that website. We have no control over, and are not responsible for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of third-party websites or services. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of every website you visit.

6. SMS Messaging Privacy

• Information collected: the phone number you provide, consent records (opt-in confirmations, opt-out requests, and the date and time of consent), and your messaging preferences.
• Use of SMS data: to send application reminders, program logistics, and travel notifications; to provide urgent updates or emergency alerts; and to deliver marketing or promotional messages with your consent.
• Sharing of SMS data: with SMS delivery vendors that send messages on our behalf, and as required to comply with the law.
• We do not sell SMS phone numbers or consent records.
• Your rights: reply STOP to opt out at any time. Contact us to access, update, or delete your SMS data. Withdrawing consent may limit the updates you receive.

7. Data Retention

We keep personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law.

8. Security

IMA uses reasonable technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect your information from unauthorized access, destruction, use, modification, or disclosure. However, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your information.

9. International Data Transfers

As a global organization, IMA may transfer your information to, and store it in, the United States and the countries where our programs operate. Data protection laws in those places may differ from the laws where you live. When we transfer information, we use safeguards designed to protect it.

10. Your Rights

• The right to access and request a copy of your personal data.
• The right to correct inaccuracies.
• The right to request deletion of your information.
• The right to restrict or object to processing.
• The right to withdraw consent at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the details in Section 15.

11. GDPR Compliance (EU/EEA/UK Residents)

• Legal bases: consent, performance of a contract, legal obligation, or legitimate interests.
• Data access: you may request a copy of your personal data.
• Portability: you may request transfer of your data to another controller.
• Supervisory authority: you may lodge a complaint with your data protection authority.

12. CCPA Compliance (California Residents)

• Right to know: request details about the categories and specific pieces of personal data we collect.
• Right to delete: request deletion of your personal information, subject to exceptions.
• Right to opt out of sale: IMA does not sell personal information.
• Right to non-discrimination: you will not be discriminated against for exercising your rights.

13. Children’s Privacy

Our programs and website are not directed at children under 13 (or under 16 in the EU). We do not knowingly collect personal information from them without parental consent. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us, and we will delete it.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the effective date at the top of this page, and we will communicate significant changes by email or with a notice on our website.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your information, contact us:

International Medical Aid Foundation
1629 K Street NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20006
Email: [email protected]