Medical services and training
A volunteer physician trains a Haitian doctor. (Photo by Linda Markee)
Many countries where we work are not adequately equipped to provide health services. Their health clinics and hospitals are understaffed, lack medicines and trained workers. Our volunteers, staff, projects and programs build capacity and provide supplies, with a focus on training, partnership and sustainability. Read on to learn more about our specific projects.
Midwifery
Every minute, at least one woman dies from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth – that means 529 000 women a year. In addition, for every woman who dies in childbirth, around 20 more suffer injury, infection or disease – approximately 10 million women each year. [World Health Organization]
Women need an experienced attendant during birth—someone who knows the process and its variations; someone who can offer guidance and comfort; someone who recognizes problems and knows how to address them as they arise.
Knowledge about the causes and treatment of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality has increased significantly during the past few decades. However, women in remote areas or poor countries have little access to this lifesaving training. These are the women we are working to assist.
International midwifery program goal: Working with in-country partners, our licensed midwife volunteers will train skilled attendants (SA) and traditional birth attendants (TBAs) to improve the pregnancy outcomes of women.
Where we're supporting and teaching midwifery
Primary health care
The goal of our international primary health care program is to:
- Provide primary health care services.
- Promote training of local health workers.
- Collaborate with partners in developing countries to accomplish this goal.
Many health clinics and hospitals in developing countries are understaffed. They lack necessary equipment, supplies and trained human resources needed for essential health services.
Where we're supporting and teaching primary health care
Specialty training
Our goal is to provide effective medical specialty and surgical training to partner hospital and clinic staff.
Medical Teams International sends several specialty training and care teams to developing countries each year. Health staff living in impoverished regions do not have access to continuing education or current medical textbooks because of limited resources, ongoing civil conflict and geographical location.
Our volunteers provide hands-on, up-to-date training in their area of expertise and most leave behind medical and surgical reading materials and textbooks. When our teams return home, in-country staff use their expanded medical knowledge to serve patients in the local community for years to come.
Medical Teams International also provides donated diagnostic equipment to local partners for use in hospitals and clinics. Health staff use this critically needed equipment to improve patient care.
Where we're conducting special training
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