12729: We need your help to save more lives in the Dominican Republic's bateys (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: "Batey Relief Alliance, Inc. [BRA]" <bateyrelief@mindspring.com>


VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR OVERSEAS WORK

The Batey Relief Alliance [BRA - www.bateyrelief.org] in collaboration with
the Catholic Medical Mission Board [CMMB - www.cmmb.org] seeks volunteer
licensed ophthalmologists, optometrists, pediatricians, internists,
gynecologists and public health experts to run a mobile health care project
in the Dominican Republic. The program will be in operation starting
February 2003.  We need your professional commitment for one year or more.
The 30-foot mobile clinic is designed and fully-equipped to provide vision
and medical care, and preventive health education to thousands of
impoverished persons languishing in remotely located sugar cane communities
known as bateys including those identified as Haitian migrant workers and
their families.

Basic health care in the bateys is virtually absent.  Most cannot afford it
because of money, racial discrimination or fear of deportation. The batey
population generally lives in constant struggle without clean water, health
education, food, sanitation or electricity. The results are high infant
mortality, malnutrition, HIV infections, malaria, sexually-transmitted
diseases, diabetes, hypertension and blindness.  Children of undocumented
Haitian parents suffer the worst fate: they have no nationality.

As a volunteer, you will not only provide direct patient care, but also
collaborate with local health professionals and train practitioners.  You
will address immediate medical needs through direct patient care as well as
through medical training to help upgrade the skills of local healthcare
providers. Our ultimate goal is to help local personnel assume the role of
providers as well as educators, so that they in turn can pass on their
skills within the community.  All the medicines, medical supplies and
equipment you will need for your work will be provided to you free of
charge.

We will provide you with free room and board; medical and evacuation
issuance; life insurance, including coverage for spouse and dependents; and,
if applicable, malpractice insurance.  You will also receive full health
insurance, a modest stipend, paid travel expenses and visas assistance.

We need your help because many lives are at stake.  Please apply now by
contacting Ulrick Gaillard at bateyrelief@mindspring.com or (917) 627-5026.
You may also contact our medical director, Dr. Raymond Thertulien at
bra.md@mindspring.com.

We look forward to hearing from you soon - and working with you.

Sincerely,
Ulrick Gaillard, JD
Executive Director
----
MEMBER OF GLOBAL HEALTH COUNCIL
www.bateyrelief.org
Batey Relief Alliance, Inc. (BRA)
Ulrick Gaillard, Executive Director
P.O. Box 300565
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11230-0565 USA
(917) 627-5026
bateyrelief@mindspring.com

Maria Virtudes Berroa, Regional Director
BRA Dominicana
Apartado Postal 5085
Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana
(809) 383-1547
bra.dominicana@mindspring.com