Over the last four days Nicholas Comninellis been representing INMED at the Global Missions Health Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Distinct from the INMED Exploring Medical Missions Conference, this event emphasizes more the spiritual dimension of caring for the poor. The encouragement we received through this event was just overwhelming. Former INMED students came by […]
The scope and frequency of disaster events being reported are increasing every year. Even this week Indonesia is suffering from the devastation of a tsunami and a volcanic eruption, both within a 24-hour period. Thousands are presumed dead and many more displaced. Travel halfway around the world to Haiti, a chronically impoverished country,
This week I represented INMED at the Kansas City Mayor’s United Nations Association Banquet, where we honored Gary White of Water.org. Gary is passionate about changing the distressing image above that illustrates how pervasive remains the shortage of safe drinking water in the world’s poorest communities. In Angola just 4 months ago I cared
This week reports out of Haiti describe the spreading of cholera epidemic. A prototypical disease of poverty, cholera is the end result of extreme lapses in sanitation and water protection. Cholera is an infection virtually unknown under any other circumstances. Nine months have passed since Haiti’s earthquake. On one hand it’s reassuring that cholera
Health leaders are typically not trained in the arenas of education, literacy and economic development. But the magnitude with which these social elements influence the health of populations cannot by ignored. Today’s leaders in health must not only appropriately inform themselves but also fully embrace their opportunities to support communities in these fields. The outcome
Disasters and ongoing deprivation mark the first years of this new century. Just consider Haiti’s earthquake, Pakistan’s flood, Somalia’s war, and North Korea’s hunger. The heartening response from many is to donate our personal time, talent, and treasures to provide rescue and assistance to those in distress in the world’s most impoverished communities. But
Disasters and ongoing deprivation mark the first years of this new century. Just consider Haiti’s earthquake, Pakistan’s flood, Somalia’s war, and North Korea’s hunger. The heartening response from many is to donate our personal time, talent, and treasures to provide rescue and assistance to those in distress in the world’s most impoverished communities. Just
Are you familiar with the Millennium Development Goals? It’s an important question, because of the tight relationship between physical health and overall economic and educational status. This initiative by the WHO and other whole bodies has eight essentials aims: Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education, Goal 3: Promote
Everyone connected with healthcare knows that one of the most vulnerable periods in life is the first five years. That’s when so very many children succumb to infectious disease, often predisposed by underlying malnutrition. Understandably, the emphasis of programs in international public health and international medicine is heavily on well child care, vaccination, and early
This year is one marked by disasters and ongoing deprivation. Just consider Haiti’s earthquake, Pakistan’s flood, and Zimbabwe’s chronic crisis. The heartening response of many is to donate of their personal time, talent, and treasures to rescue those acute distress. Just look at the thousands of healthcare professionals volunteering for short-term medical missions! But