A Message from our Executive Director

July 19, 2004

Adopt A Doctor is an answer to a crisis that is occurring in the poorest countries in the world.

That crisis is that every year 13 million people in the developing world die--from easily treatable and preventable diseases such as measles, diarrhea, and pneumonia. These are diseases that we in the developed world do not think twice about because treatment is so readily available here.

In the poorest countries in the world, people are dying from these diseases because there are not enough doctors to treat them. The few doctors who are there in these countries have poor resources and do not always have enough clinical experience to properly treat their patients.

Doctors in these countries are becoming more scarce as they flee to developed nations in search of a better living. In Liberia there were 100 doctors working in the public sector in 1990. Today, just 13 years later, there are only 25 doctors. This problem exists in many of the poorest countries in the world.

Adopt A Doctor evolved from a dream: that one day, no one in the world will die from the measles. No one will die from diarrhea. No one will die from the flu.

Our solution to the problem is simple and direct: support physicians working in the poorest countries in the world so they can stay and save lives.

We have carefully selected 4 target countries--the poorest nations in the world with poor or no health care systems. These countries are Mali, Liberia, Malawi, and Sierra Leone.

Our support for doctors in these 4 countries comes in two forms. (1) We will supplement their salaries so they can take basic care of themselves and their families and will be empowered to stay in the country and continue to save lives. (2) We will offer to the doctors an expansive network of donors through which they can request medical supplies, equipment, and educational materials.

Our goal is that by the end of 4 years, we will be supporting 200 doctors worldwide--200 doctors who have agreed to stay in their desperate country and practice medicine for at least 7 years. It is our hope that our program will promote a change in the current mentality so that doctors graduating from medical schools in these countries will feel committed and able to say for as long as possible.

The doctors of the world are crying out for help and we are answering that call.

We have decided to focus our fundraising efforts in New England where we will bring communities together for a common purpose. Through our local efforts, we will promote civic engagement, international awareness, and education.

Just like Governor Howard Dean used to say, we are building a great grassroots campaign of the modern era, "built from mouse pads, shoe leather, and hope." The difference is that our campaign is actually a crusade--to bring basic health care to thousands of dying people around the world.

We are not expecting or planning to change the world overnight. However, we expect, over the course of several years, to make a clear and definite impact on the numbers and experience-level of doctors in our 4 target nations.

Every day 35,000 children under age five die in the developing world from easily treatable and preventable diseases. Through our program, when we reduce that number to even 34,900, we will have taken an important step to shaping a healthier world community.

Rajiv Kumar
Chairman

Print this page

Email this page

Home

Top




Program Overview Frequently Asked Questions Our Team President's Story Chairman's Message Liberia Malawi Mali Sierra Leone Join our Campaign Donate Volunteer Fundraise Join our mailing list now! Go »	A Message from our Executive Director July 19, 2004 Adopt A Doctor is an answer to a crisis that is occurring in the poorest countries in the world. That crisis is that every year 13 million people in the developing world die--from easily treatable and preventable diseases such as measles, diarrhea, and pneumonia. These are diseases that we in the developed world do not think twice about because treatment is so readily available here. In the poorest countries in the world, people are dying from these diseases because there are not enough doctors to treat them. The few doctors who are there in these countries have poor resources and do not always have enough clinical experience to properly treat their patients. Doctors in these countries are becoming more scarce as they flee to developed nations in search of a better living. In Liberia there were 100 doctors working in the public sector in 1990. Today, just 13 years later, there are only 25 doctors. This problem exists in many of the poorest countries in the world. Adopt A Doctor evolved from a dream: that one day, no one in the world will die from the measles. No one will die from diarrhea. No one will die from the flu. Our solution to the problem is simple and direct: support physicians working in the poorest countries in the world so they can stay and save lives. We have carefully selected 4 target countries--the poorest nations in the world with poor or no health care systems. These countries are Mali, Liberia, Malawi, and Sierra Leone. Our support for doctors in these 4 countries comes in two forms. (1) We will supplement their salaries so they can take basic care of themselves and their families and will be empowered to stay in the country and continue to save lives. (2) We will offer to the doctors an expansive network of donors through which they can request medical supplies, equipment, and educational materials. Our goal is that by the end of 4 years, we will be supporting 200 doctors worldwide--200 doctors who have agreed to stay in their desperate country and practice medicine for at least 7 years. It is our hope that our program will promote a change in the current mentality so that doctors graduating from medical schools in these countries will feel committed and able to say for as long as possible. The doctors of the world are crying out for help and we are answering that call. We have decided to focus our fundraising efforts in New England where we will bring communities together for a common purpose. Through our local efforts, we will promote civic engagement, international awareness, and education. Just like Governor Howard Dean used to say, we are building a great grassroots campaign of the modern era, "built from mouse pads, shoe leather, and hope." The difference is that our campaign is actually a crusade--to bring basic health care to thousands of dying people around the world. We are not expecting or planning to change the world overnight. However, we expect, over the course of several years, to make a clear and definite impact on the numbers and experience-level of doctors in our 4 target nations. Every day 35,000 children under age five die in the developing world from easily treatable and preventable diseases. Through our program, when we reduce that number to even 34,900, we will have taken an important step to shaping a healthier world community. Rajiv Kumar Chairman Print this page Email this page Home Top

150 Chestnut Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903 • (401) 421-0606 Adopt A Doctor is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All contributions are fully tax-deductible.