IMA World Health helps provide essential health care service and supplies, without bias, to people in need in developing countries.
We accomplish this through direct provision to hospitals, clinics, programs, and other health care providers, and by strengthening health systems through training, education, and oversight. Faith-based organizations are key partners in our work.
We have consistently received top efficiency ratings from independent watchdog agencies such as Charity Navigator.
IMA World Health envisions children, women, and men in communities the world over relieved of the burden of disease that results from poverty and instability. We strive to achieve our mission by linking the resources of the developed world with the needs of the developing world.
We work in partnership with governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), faith-based organizations (FBOs), relief agencies, service clubs, and donors to:
- rebuild and strengthen health care systems in developing countries;
- support training and education for local health care providers;
- treat, prevent, and control widespread diseases that have been virtually eliminated in every developed nation;and
- procure and distribute medicine and supplies to people in need (see below).
Medicine and Supplies
Medical Mission Teams
IMA World Health serves the needs of short-term, volunteer medical mission teams, including physicians and church-related groups, by providing medicines and medical supplies through its inventory of donated products and the IMA Medicine Box® program. In FY 2007, the Medical Mission Program served 148 volunteer medical mission teams, providing medical products with a total value of more than $2.3 million.
General Inventory Program
IMA World Health maintains inventories of donated medicine and supplies that are available to medical mission teams and health professionals. Products are offered based upon availability. Administrative, packing, and shipping fees are calculated based on the order. To request more information, contact Patty Pickett at 410-635-8720 or pattypickett@imaworldhealth.org.
IMA Medicine Box®
This package of medication and supplies, designed to treat the common illnesses of approximately 1,000 people in rural communities for 2-3 months, has become a symbol of our organization throughout the world. It was developed in strict adherence to World Health Organization guidelines for essential drugs, and contains products that are not scheduled to expire for at least 12 months. More than 11 million people in 52 countries have been treated through this program since its inception in 1992.
Medicine Boxes are frequently sent overseas, to church-based hospitals associated with IMA’s Member Agencies. IMA Medicine Boxes are also available for medical mission teams to hand carry to their destinations.
Products provided in the IMA Medicine Box may include:
Pain relief medications, i.e. aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen
Nutritional supplements, i.e. vitamins, iron supplements
Antibiotics, i.e. amoxicillin, cephalosporin
Wound care items, i.e. gauze, first aid tape, antibacterial ointment
For the most current list of products contained in the Medicine Box, please contact Patty Pickett at 410-635-8720 or pattypickett@imaworldhealth.org.
Baby Layette Pattern
To download instructions for a baby layette, click here.
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Although IMA does not sponsor medical mission service teams, our Member Agencies offer many volunteer service opportunities. Please visit their websites for more information:
Adventist Development & Relief Agency
http://www.adra.org/site/PageNavigator/who_we_are/careers
American Baptist Churches USA
http://www.internationalministries.org/go
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
http://www.globalministries.org/get-involved/mission-opportunities/
Church of the Brethren
http://www.brethren.org/genbd/bvs/index.htm
Church World Service
http://www.churchworldservice.org/opportunities.html
Episcopal Relief and Development
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/agr/mission/
Lutheran World Relief
http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Service-Opportunities.aspx
Mennonite Central Committee
http://www.mcc.org/involved/
Presbyterian Church (USA)
http://www.pcusa.org/msr/volunteer/international.htm
United Church of Christ
http://www.ucc.org/volunteer/
United Methodist Church
http://gbgm-umc.org/vim/about.htm