Before we close out January at Medical Teams, we’re taking one last look at 2023. It was a turbulent year with its fair share of surprises. Through it all, we focused on what we do best: providing loving, life-saving care to people facing crisis around the world. When you read about our year in review, you’ll see what we mean!

In 2023, we served 4.7 million people in 27 countries. Consider the stories behind that statistic: each person in that 4.7 million is someone’s loved one. The reality is that each person likely had their own moment of fear and worry and wasn’t sure where help would come from. That’s when this incredible community stepped in to show them they weren’t alone. Your generous hearts made it possible for millions of people to take the first step toward hope because they had health care.

Read on for our year in review, and find out how you can help in 2024!

Invested in mothers and babies

Every year at Medical Teams, we focus on supporting the health of women and children. They’re often at risk of higher rates of disease and death, and women tend to be the foundations of strong communities. Our year in review starts with, well, the start  — with babies!

This year, we’re happy to report that more than 39,000 babies were born safely to women across our 6 international programs! That’s about the same number of babies born in Portland, Oregon. When deliveries became complicated, our providers performed more than 7,400 emergency C-sections.

There’s more good news: in Tanzania, there were zero maternal deaths in our clinics! And in Uganda, the neonatal mortality rate in our NICU was lower than the average rate in the U.S. Every new baby is worth celebrating. But we’re especially proud of every safe birth happening in some of the most complicated humanitarian contexts possible. Thank you for making this work possible!

Expanded programs with institutional funding

Institutional funders — government or other large-scale development agencies — recognized Medical Teams’ high-quality care with grants to fund expansions or continue funding many of our country programs. The U.S. Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration awarded millions of dollars to Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Colombia. In Sudan, we’re partnering with UNICEF and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to expand our programming in the White Nile State.

As we look at the year in review, of particular note is the expansion of our Colombia program. With the partnership of institutional funders, we’re doubling the number of people we serve! That includes expanding our program to help care for people near the Darién Gap, one of the world’s deadliest jungles. Thousands of people cross each year, but many people don’t survive the journey. Our clinics will help prepare and care for people as they face significant health challenges.

Cared with community health workers

The communities we serve alongside know what they need to thrive. We work within communities accordingly, leveraging the strengths and skills of people who are eager to help their neighbors. They’re people like Marimar, who moved to Colombia after Venezuela’s economic collapse.

Marimar says,

“I came to contribute something.”

Today, Marimar is a community health worker with Medical Teams. She goes door-to-door, connecting her neighbors to care. Our community health workers help build a support system for people who might otherwise be isolated and alone.

In 2023, we trained more than 2,000 community health workers across our 6 international country programs. Each month, they reached an average of 260,000 people. That’s some serious community building! We’re grateful for the people who are willing to serve with open hearts, both at home and abroad.

Stocked shelves around the world

Our incredible distribution center leveraged the power of donated medical supplies to send more than $18.8 million in medicines and supplies around the world. People in 22 countries, from Armenia to Nepal, benefited from these donated medical supplies.

That’s no small feat! It takes the work of volunteers and the partnership of local health systems and suppliers to deliver these supplies. In total, we shipped 635 pallets of supplies that helped nearly 620,000 people around the world. We also gave supplies to 65 local agencies in the Pacific Northwest.

In 2023, 205 people volunteered in the distribution center. In 2024, you can make that number 206! Join our tightknit team today to make a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Healed with Care & Connect Mobile Health

Care & Connect Mobile Health has expanded to include basic health screenings, vaccinations, and referrals in addition to emergency dental care. In 2023, we served more than 12,800 people in Oregon and Washington. In total, the value of the treatments provided and the labor of our volunteers equaled $3.4 million in services!

More than 300 volunteers gave their time and expertise to help their neighbors. Keith Watts, a retired veteran, showed his gratitude for all the people who make these clinics possible when he had a tooth pulled.

Keith says,

“Please tell everyone involved in this, ‘thank you so much.’”

In total, Care & Connect Mobile Health held 1,140 clinics in the Northwest. Each clinic welcomed our neighbors here at home who have no other way to get health care. From rural towns to houseless encampments, and everywhere in between, our big red bus is a symbol of hope.

Are you a dentist, hygienist, or chair-side assistant? We’d love to have your help! Apply today to volunteer with Medical Teams.

Our year in review

Every year has its highs and lows, but we’re proud of this community for making a real difference in the lives of their neighbors in 2023. No one knows what 2024 will hold, but we’re confident that together, we’ll be ready.

Just $25 provides a basic health care check-up for a mother, sister, father, or brother — someone’s loved one, just like our own. You can help make 2024 a year worth celebrating by giving today!