IMC

My timing with discussing Ann Curry’s blog links worked out perfect. Today, the last day of the semester, I am going to discuss the International Medical Corps.
IMC was founded in 1984. They are a nonprofit organization that works around the world where there is need of health care. They work to save lives and relieve suffering. Here is a list of the following things they focus on.

“IMC health care services include:
Primary health care (PHC) – basic preventative and curative services, with a focus on the most vulnerable victims of suffering: children, women, and the elderly
Mental health care – train primary health care providers to integrate mental health into their work so they can identify and treat mental health problems. IMC also sets up a variety of psychosocial programs for the wider community according to their needs
\\Maternal and child health care (MCH) – mass immunizations, well-child clinics, and training for midwives and traditional birth attendants to reduce maternal and child mortality
Health education and training – in the medical and managerial skills needed to serve local communities suffering from a breakdown in health services
Emergency relief and disaster response – vital emergency medical care, war and trauma surgery, nutrition, and water/sanitation assistance provided at the very onset of a humanitarian crisis
HIV/AIDS – diagnosis, treatment and prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and opportunistic infections, as well as training for HIV/AIDS caretakers, distribution of appropriate drug therapies, and public education
Reproductive Health Care – a full range of services for women to promote better health, particularly during the child-bearing years;
Water and sanitation – to control the spread of waterborne diseases amongst vulnerable communities
Reconstructive and rehabilitative surgery – to improve the physical and psychological health of victims of warfare, including women and children
Nutrition services – supplemental and therapeutic feeding programs for populations affected by famine and food shortages, particularly small children
Microfinance – community-based initiatives to help restore economic self sufficiency and help finance local health programs
Gender and sexual based violence – training for local health care workers to increase awareness of gender-based violence and establish treatment protocols”



There is a very detailed description of what IMC does in Darfur listing the type of medical aide they are giving in the area. They also teach people how to use technology and other medical practices that will benefit them. They also work in Chad. There is also an interesting slideshow of photos of IMC assistance in Darfur. Some of the pictures are shown below.