Physicians for Peace Partners with Family Health International

NORFOLK, VA (03/20/2008)(readMedia)-- Physicians for Peace and Family Health International have forged a partnership to provide resources and produce medical and educational initiatives to improve the global health and welfare of children and their families. With a shared vision to elevate and empower the poor through shared expertise and experience, the two organizations will collaborate on activities that complement and enhance the efforts of both in the developing world.

Physicians for Peace (PFP) is a medical education organization dedicated to building peace and international friendships in developing countries with unmet medical needs and scarce resources. With its global view beyond cultures and class, it focuses on establishing sustainable, replicable medical education and training.

Family Health International (FHI) is a leader among international public health and development organizations, with a mission to improve lives worldwide through research and programs in public health. FHI’s clinical, behavioral and social science research increases understanding of technologies and health care systems. Its public health professionals combine this scientific knowledge with best practices from the field to deliver evidence-based health programs that have lasting impact.

More than 90% of the world’s disease burden is found in developing nations which possess only 10% of the world’s medical resources. Combining PFP and FHI’s capabilities, resource networks, and areas of expertise, the two organizations bring together a solid arsenal of strengths and strategies to combat the extreme poverty and lack of resources that plague the world’s most vulnerable populations.

PFP and FHI will collaborate on programs to train health care professionals and develop life skills of families and community residents. They will work to improve healthcare infrastructure, support social services, promote economic development, and secure adequate nutrition, shelter and education.

An initial focus on current PFP and FHI programs and activities in the Dominican Republic has proven to be a great opportunity to bring about lasting change through meeting the critical maternal needs of women and their children.

“Securing the future welfare of children and families in developing countries is a critical public health concern,” notes Al Siemens, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FHI. “Our partnership with Physicians for Peace brings us one step closer to filling existing gaps and finding new ways to improve the lives of vulnerable families around the world for generations to come.”

“We’re very pleased about this partnership, and the opportunities it offers to expand our work in the Dominican Republic and other nations,” said PFP President and Chief Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Ron Sconyers (USAF, Ret.). “FHI brings vision and skills to this partnership that will only improve the vital work we are already carrying out there.”

ABOUT PHYSICIANS FOR PEACE

Physicians for Peace is an international private voluntary organization that mobilizes healthcare educators to assist developing nations with unmet medical needs and scarce resources. Through effective, hands-on medical education and training, clinical care and donated medical supplies, Physicians for Peace creates long-term, sustainable, replicable, and evidence-based projects to help partner nations build medical capability and capacity to help themselves. Volunteers for the 501© (3) nonprofit organization have conducted medical missions in more than 50 countries. More information is available at www.physiciansforpeace.org.

ABOUT FAMILY HEALTH INTERNATIONAL

Family Health International (FHI) has been at the forefront of public health research, prevention, care and treatment in the developing world since 1971.With more than 1,800 staff globally and programs in over 65 countries, FHI works to address the most pressing public health needs of developing countries, which include family planning and reproductive health, child and maternal health, infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and avian influenza, chronic diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and preventable cancers, all within the context of a broader development framework. More information is available at www.fhi.org

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