Direct Relief International and Bristol-Myers Squibb Provide Medicines for Physicians Traveling Overseas
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Direct Relief International and Bristol-Myers Squibb Provide Medicines for Physicians Traveling Overseas
Dominican Republic
Direct Relief International, Bristol-Myers Squibb
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The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean island nation of 9.6 million residents. Despite its growing economy, the poorest half of the Dominican Republic’s population receives less than 20 percent of the GNP while the richest 10 percent receive 40 percent of the national income. This has created a large population with limited access to medical care.The Dominican Republic is one of 51 countries receiving medical donations through the Medical Mission Box Program. In 2003, Direct Relief International directed special attention to the lack of es.jpg)
sential medical supplies and pharmaceuticals for U.S. physicians traveling overseas. Direct Relief had previously supported physicians on an ad-hoc basis, but as the frequency of requests grew, it became evident that a program to offer medical supplies for physicians traveling to vulnerable communities was needed. As a result, Direct Relief, in partnership with Bristol-Myers Squibb, created the Medical Mission Box Program. The program has strengthened primary health care by supplying life saving antibiotics to populations visited by the Physicians.
sential medical supplies and pharmaceuticals for U.S. physicians traveling overseas. Direct Relief had previously supported physicians on an ad-hoc basis, but as the frequency of requests grew, it became evident that a program to offer medical supplies for physicians traveling to vulnerable communities was needed. As a result, Direct Relief, in partnership with Bristol-Myers Squibb, created the Medical Mission Box Program. The program has strengthened primary health care by supplying life saving antibiotics to populations visited by the Physicians. Dr. Dale Betterton, a Medical Mission Box recipient, saw this firsthand when he traveled to provide health care services to rural and underserved areas of Haiti and Dominican Republic, especially to Haitian sugarcane workers and poor Dominicans living in the rural bateys. According to Dr. Betteron, “All [medicines] were needed; especially useful from the Medical Mission Box were the oral antibiotic suspensions.”
Medical Mission Boxes are 20” X 15” X 15” high and weigh approximately 30 pounds. Each box treats approximately 200 patients. Bristol-Myers Squibb provides antibiotics for the boxes physicians are bringing with them in their work around the world.
Photos courtesy of Direct Relief International
