Adopt a Doctor is a Rhode Island non-profit organization working to stop the brain drain that is drawing experienced physicians away from the poorest countries in Africa.

What Does This Mean?

 

Many African countries find it difficult to attract and retain experienced physicians because salaries are so low. In Malawi, for example, a doctor earns on average just $70 USD per month and thus practices medicine in the country for an average of only 3 years. Physicians are leaving developing nations such as Malawi in droves to seek more reasonable pay and better resources in other parts of the world.

This is a serious crisis because of the dismal health conditions in these countries. Every day, 35,000 children under five die in the developing world. The great majority of these deaths are from three diseases: pneumonia, diarrhea, and measles, all of which can be prevented or cured by adequate medical care. In total, 14 million people die annually from easily treatable infectious diseases-a quarter of all deaths worldwide. Over 90% of these victims live in developing countries.

Our Program

 

Adopt a Doctor solves this problem of high turnover rates and unavailability of experienced physicians by providing financial aid and other critical resources to physicians already working in these poor countries so that they can stay and continue their work.

It is our mission to encourage these doctors to stay where they are needed the most. We provide financial support on a monthly basis for doctors who are committed to working and saving lives in Africa.

We obtain the funding needed to pay these physicians from generous individuals from around the world. All of our operational expenses are funded through grants and corporate sponsorships, so 100% of funds donated by individuals like you go directly to support the doctors.

Currently, one of our projects involves supporting medical doctors at an HIV treatment facility in Bamako, Mali, West Africa. Working with the GAIA Vaccine Foundation, we are providing the monthly funding for all of the doctors who work there.

We Are Shaping Healthier Communities

 

We are empowering doctors to practice where their services are needed the most. While other international health organizations send visiting medical teams for brief stints around the world, we are enabling doctors to offer constant and continuous care for their own communities for an extended period of time.

We are shaping and strengthening healthier communities elsewhere, as well. By fundraising through a grassroots community-based effort, we are educating our supporters about international health care issues, promoting civic involvement, and building community as people unite to support this important cause.