March 29, 2008 - Arusha, Tanzania

IMO health care providers began assisting the poor today in a pilot project in close cooperation with the Arusha Municipal Council Ministry of Health. Arusha, the third largest municipality in Tanzania is also the major city in the country’s north central district. AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other diseases annually take a heavy toll upon Arusha’s mostly poor population. Dr. Solomon Ole Logilunore, Principle Assistant Medical Officer of the Arusha Municipal Council has expressed great anticipation of IMO’s assistance in meeting the medical needs of the community. IMO teams visited homes of those identified by the Arusha Municipal Council as ones in which at least one household member was afflicted with AIDS. IMO provided medical exams, appropriate laboratory evaluations and medications for each of these HIV positive individuals. In addition, IMO supplied deworming medications as well as multivitamins for all members of the household (sufficient for a several month period) and enough food to feed each family for weeks to come. Dr. Ture, Chief Medical Officer of the Arusha Region expressed his deepest gratitude for IMO’s efforts and has offered his influence to encourage IMO’s continued presence in the region.

September 8, 2007 - Nikolaev, Ukraine

International Medical Outreach (IMO) has provided a grant for public health issues to Bethany Christian Center of Nikolaev, Ukraine. Radio programs with public health topics will be produced and broadcasted by Bethany Christian Center. Pastor Slavic Kravchuk has indicated that such programs will be weekly and will target broadcast not only the metropolitan area of Nikolaev with a population of 600,000, but also the surrounding area of over two million. IMO and Bethany Christian Center hope that these messages will both educate and reinforce habits that will decrease the transmission of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and sexual transmitted diseases among others. Measurable results hopefully will be available during the pilot phase of six months. If beneficial, an option for extension has also been provided by IMO. IMO is a nongovernmental humanitarian aid organization established in 1993 and has been active in the Nikolaev region since 1996.

July 14, 2007 - Nairobi, Kenya

Silas was found by International Medical Outreach (IMO) physicians at Spurgeon School in the Kibera slum. IMO had organized a vaccination and physical exam program at different schools throughout Nairobi this week. But at Spurgeon, IMO had also planned to wash every child’s feet.

Silas had an old bandage on one foot. When the doctors removed the bandage, an ugly open wound with pus and visible bone could easily be seen. The school nurse had done all she could. But her resources were limited. He had even been hospitalized for a time, but that only cost Silas’ mother money she did not have. When the hospital doctors suggested amputation, Silas’ mother took him home.

IMO physicians had decided it could be saved. Nairobi Women’s Hospital was called, as was Dr. Sean Boutros, IMO’s plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Silas was sent by car to Nairobi Women’s Hospital, but instead of seeing Dr. Boutros, Silas was seen by a staff surgeon who had evaluated the nasty wound and felt it was not salvageable. He, as had Silas’ previous surgeons felt his foot could not be saved and scheduled him for amputation the following week.

But IMO’s director, Dr. Todd Price, stepped in. He personally discussed Silas’ plight with Dr. Boutros and personally arranged for Dr. Boutros’ attendance. Surgery was done, but not the amputation. Dr. Boutros debrided the infection removed the dead tissue and saved little six year-old Silas’ foot. And today, thanks to IMO, Silas not only has both feet, but a new pair of shoes as well.

28 March, 2008 - Tanzania

IMO, in cooperation with local civic and religious leaders, revealed plans today for the construction and development of the HIV Child Centre, Tanzania. As in many communities across Africa, Arusha, Tanzania has been severely affected by the ongoing HIV pandemic. This has resulted in many HIV orphans, many of whom harbor the virus within their own bodies. This, in conjunction with abject poverty, assures these children of a painful miserable albeit brief existence. IMO has taken the unprecedented step in developing plans to not only save these orphans, but to also provide a loving and nurturing home-like environment where they may grow and thrive.

Emmanuel Msuya, Public Health Officer of the Arusha Region stated that across Africa a child dies of HIV related causes every minute. He added that such a center, the first of its kind to his knowledge in all of Tanzania, could be a welcome respite to these miserable statistics. Eric Mukwende, Pastor of Maranatha Christian Center and founder of Maranatha Christian School, has pledged his whole-hearted support of his entire staff. Dr. Abela Kasoni, a local physician, and Zephania Matkahone, a local pharmacist, also added their enthusiasm for the HIV Child Centre. Dr. Kasoni added that IMO’s efforts will not only touch the heart of a child, but will mend all of Tanzania’s broken hearts as well.

September 6, 2007 - Chihuahua, Mexico

One million doses of Albendazole 400 mg were donated here today by International Medical Outreach (IMO). Albendazole is commonly prescribed for the treatment of intestinal worms and other parasites. The Chihuahua State Ministry of Health will be responsible for the distribution and administration of the Albendazole to the Tarrahumara regions of the state. It is estimated that over ninety percent of the Tarrahumara Indians are infected with at least one type of parasite or worm that is susceptible to Albendazole. World Health Organization’s current statistics indicate that an estimated three hundred million people are currently infected with worms worldwide. WHO also reports that worms rob children of vital nutrients and vitamins beneficial to normal growth and development. Neurosurgeon Dr. Homero Anchondo, who has been assisting the state’s medical programs requested the donation which will treat one million children. IMO is a nonprofit humanitarian aid organization based in Houston, Texas and is providing the medication at no cost to Mexico. Feed the Children, a humanitarian aid organization based in Oklahoma City has funded shipping expenses.

September 12, 2007 - Houston, Texas - United States

International Medical Outreach (IMO) has leased a warehouse for the storage and refurbishment of medications, medical supplies and medical equipment. IMO plans to subsequently inventory, pack and ship such products to IMO designated healthcare facilities worldwide. IMO was established as humanitarian aid organization in 1993 with the intent of providing medical care and medical products to various locations around the globe. Surplus in western healthcare facilities is not generally the case in healthcare facilities in the developing world. Indeed, in 1993 Dr. Todd Price, IMO founder visited a Bulgarian pediatric oncology ward in which medical supplies were of such short supplies that the children with slept on the floor. From that time IMO began to place used and new medical supplies and equipment. Now that the warehouse has been secured, IMO anticipates that these efforts will be enhanced, allowing for the delivery of healthcare to many additional locations worldwide.

To donate equipment, please go to our contact page for details. Prompt pick-up will be arranged by IMO, whether it is local or national. Since IMO is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit humanitarian aid corporation, all donations are tax deductible.