Announcing: Short-Term Missions with Medical Ministry International

ALLEN, Texas – Each year, Medical Ministry International (MMI) plans around 70 one and two-week medical mission trips to third world countries. North American doctors volunteer to go on these “working vacations” to serve the poor who have little or no access to medical care. While many projects are designated for general medicine, dentistry and surgery, approximately 10 projects each year are planned as eye projects. Eye projects may be surgery only or a full team of 80 including ophthalmology, optometry, opticians, nurses, techs, anesthesia, general helpers and teens. Many of MMI’s smaller eye projects also serve as the frontline for developing new medical work in countries where MMI has not previously worked, a process which aims to eventually establish a long-term health care presence in a region.

MMI strives to meet the need for medical care among the world's poor with lasting solutions through excellence in medicine, patient care, and health education by mobilizing around 1500 volunteers annually and establishing and equipping permanent medical centers. The organization’s mission is to be an opportunity to serve Jesus Christ by providing spiritual and physical health care in this world of need. MMI’s vision is to care annually for 100 million of the world's needy by the year 2050.

Working alongside national doctors and helpers from the various countries, MMI joins the efforts of the local church where possible. This healing ministry strengthens village churches and enhances missions outreach in the home churches of participants. Volunteers come from a variety of denominational traditions and backgrounds.

MMI 500 PERMANENT CENTERS

MMI 500 is the vision for establishing 500 permanent health care facilities serving the poor around the world. With nine of these permanent centers already in place, they provide an opportunity for ongoing health care for a community, region, or country. As locations are visited on short-term trips, relationships are built with the community in hopes of having a long-term presence in their lives. When the building process for a new center begins, key leaders have been identified and local materials and labor are used in construction. Multiple MMI 500 Centers now have Residency Programs training national doctors to expand the work of reaching those in need with healing and hope.

Most new centers will open first with ophthalmic services, with other specialties to be added in time as appropriate leadership and personnel are identified. Initial staff will include an administrator, doctor, nurse and maintenance person. The facilities will have the equipment to perform 90% of surgical procedures most frequently needed by the indigent. Periodic visits by MMI teams will provide ongoing encouragement and help with any surgical backlog.

The Elias Santana Hospital in the Dominican Republic, with its award winning Ophthalmology Residency program under the direction of Dr. Juan Batlle, is a model for new programs starting in other places around the world. Faculty members volunteer one day each week at the hospital while maintaining successful private practices. The Residency’s teaching focuses on three components: high academic standards, an emphasis on caring for the poor, and the spiritual aspect of caring for people. Several graduates are now running MMI 500 Centers and establishing residencies of their own.

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