The World Health Organization estimates that each year 300-500 million cases of malaria occur and more than 1 million people die of malaria, especially in developing countries.  The majority of these deaths occur with children.  The high cost of medicines and loss of production that arise as a result of the epidemic take an incredible toll on the economies of countries that in many cases are already crippled.  

IMR’s approach is simple.  Our basic premise focuses on educating the remote communities that we serve about malaria, the risks, and prevention techniques.  These techniques can be as simple as covering skin during times of day where malaria mosquitoes present a higher risk of biting, to providing bed nets to communities for protection.  We give simple solutions to help eradicate malaria in the communities that we serve.  IMR has made a commitment that on every medical trip to a malaria risk region we will provide community education on this topic.  Medicines for those infected with the disease are distributed after the patient has been given education.  

In 2010, International Medical Relief plans to continue our project of providing insecticide-treated bed nets that provide inexpensive and lasting protection against mosquitoes.  In 2007 we distributed over 500 bed nets to the Wukro Hospital for their HIV and TB wards.

Every year, 2.4 million children die from preventable diseases.  IMR is saving some of these lives.  Our vaccination program helps to give vaccinations to those that otherwise would not have access because of their location or the costs.  IMR reaches remote areas that are underserved in terms of health care services.  Vaccinations require to be kept at a very specific temperature and our teams are skilled at transporting them and distributing them effectively and properly.  These vaccines are one of the most effective health interventions ever developed.  Every year IMR increases our ability to vaccinate communities against tuberculosis, polio, measles, and other diseases. 

In October of 2009, IMR conducted our third vaccination clinic for the Talibe (pictured here) near Theis, Senegal.  IMR vaccinated 428 Talibe youth that came from 20 Daraas.  “I would like to thank you sincerely for this great support that was very important for the health of these children” state Oumou Diop, Director at Tostan in Theis.

IMR has been vaccinating communities in Africa since 2005, primarily in Kenya and Senegal.  We look forward to expanding this campaign in 2010.

International Medical Relief supported a container shipment that went to Umuahia, Nigeria. Here, a needy hospital, the Hospital for the Poor, run by the Catholic Church was able to obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of medical supplies and equipment. This will enable the hospital to function at much higher level using equipment and supplies that are greatly needed in Nigeria.

In 2007, IMR volunteer Pete Ambrose (pictured here in Ethiopia) embarked on a quest to provide agricultural assistance to a needy orphanage in remote Ethiopia, Elshadai Orphan Village.  After three years of fundraising his dream will be realized as he brings new livestock aid to the orphanage.  Pete personally raised an animal through his Colorado 4H club and all of the proceeds went to support this project.  Additionally, he raised support at the State Fair.  His journey to help this orphanage which survives solely on their farm will bring much needed help to the nearly 100 youth and volunteers living on the grounds.

Two IMR volunteers, Keren Etzion and Jessica Genninger embarked on a project to provide education supplies in Ethiopia.  After raising support for nearly three years, the duo will turn over their earnings to the Elshadai Orphan Village (orphans pictures here with IMR volunteer Miranda Woods) in the form of educational supplies in early 2010.  Some of the orphans living at this village have handicaps not allowing them to participate in the local school system.  This, along with the logistical handicap of getting the youth to a school and providing funds for their supplies and books has prevented them from getting any education.  These funds will go a long way to helping them fulfill their scholastic dreams.

IMR shipped a container of much needed education and medical supplies to Wukro, Ethiopia in late 2009.  “I am grateful to your great deed for the people, this is really very generous work in life, as you did this kind job” said Dr. Asmamaw Mirutse.  Supplies, including clothes, bicycles and toys for the children (as pictured here at the warehouse in the US before being put in container), were packed by a group with disabilities at the HELP Warehouse.  Jean Kaye Wilson commented on the importance of the volunteers at the warehouse having special needs as the orphanage that would receive the shipment also has many children with mental and physical handicaps “this is a special way for these volunteers to give back to those around the world who are in a similar situation as themselves”.  A formal receiving ceremony will take place in Mekelle in early 2010. 

On International Medical Relief’s most recent trip to a remote village in sub-Saharan Africa, a young boy between the ages of one and two, was brought in to our clinic by his mother on our first day in country.  He sustained second degree burns on both of his legs and arms from scalding hot water earlier that morning. The boy was not crying, but was listless, and limp. After being rehydrated he became more alert. While tending to his wounds, the boy began to cry and move about, a sign we were so happy to see that we didn't mind how much harder it made our job.  Dr. Bill Hughes cleaned his wounds thoroughly with the help of first year medical student, Natasha Li (as pictured here).  They used a dilute Betadine wash, treaded with a Triple Antibiotic Ointment, and wrapped with sterile dressings.  They started him on an oral antibiotic to prevent sepsis.  The boy came back every morning that week as our team vigilantly washed and changed his dressing.  It often is not state of the art equipment that makes the difference, but the love, care and concern of our team members with simple clinic supplies that can save lives first hand on each trip.  Here, rehydration, continual cleaning and attentiveness, antibiotic ointment, and oral antibiotics saved his life. On the last day of our clinic, seeing this boy there were good signs of healing.  The team gave the family all the supplies they would need to care for the wounds themselves as well as careful instruction.  We parted ways knowing that we were not leaving a burn victim, but a survivor. 

Twelve medical students from The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center participated on International Medical Relief’s trip to Argentina in August of 2009.  This hands on experience gave them a great perspective on medicine and medical care as well as what they may face here in the U.S. once they begin practice.  Emergency room doctor, Jamira Jones (pictured here with student Natalia), worked with the students.  The students worked as a team to initiate diagnostic for patients and then consulted with patient and Dr. Jones prior to final diagnosis and prescriptions being given.  The students worked together to provide community health education in a health fair setting for well patients that included well patient certificates for those not needing to be seen in the clinic.  Each student also fulfilled a community wellness seminar every day on topics such as H1N1, child safety and health tips, malaria, breast cancer, diabetes, HIV awareness, basic first aid, CPR and more.  

International Medical Relief has been encouraged by the value that students are able to give and receive.  Rachel Seay, premed student in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, who participated on IMR’s Ethiopia medical mission, stated “it was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life and greatly impacted how I will view medical care as I go into the field”. Seay was able to work alongside Dr. Craig Stark, who cared for patients.  She was able to watch three fistula repair surgeries, attend the OBGyn lecture series, and help give hands on care with our doctors.