Global Health Progress

Global Health Progress

Resources for the Field

Research-based biopharmaceutical companies and organizations around the world are working together to ensure that people in the field have access to the medicines and equipment they need to make a difference.

Opportunities to Work in the Field

Thousands of doctors, nurses, students and other committed individuals volunteer their time to improving health in the developing world. The following is a partial list of volunteer opportunities, as well as some Web resources listing related organizations. Please send additional listing suggestions to info@globalhealthprogress.org.

Programs and Partners

  • Global Health Fellows:
    Each year, Pfizer awards up to 40 qualified employees with the opportunity to work in the field with nonprofit organizations in the developing world. By sharing the expertise of its people, Pfizer strives to strengthen the ability of health care providers to care for their patients.
  • Medical Teams International:
    Medical Teams International partners with organizations both at home and abroad to send supplies and groups of trained professional volunteers to sites all over the world.
  • Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO):
    VSO is a leading development charity with almost 1,500 skilled professionals currently working in 34 countries. VSO responds to requests from governments and community organizations throughout Asia and Africa.

Additional Online Resources

Many medical associations collect lists of volunteer opportunities in the field of global health. Here are a few international volunteer opportunity resources.

Medical Pack and Supply Resources

Qualified program participants ensure that valuable medicines and supplies go where they can do the most good. Programs that offer no or low cost kits for global health projects and missions include:

Americares Medical Outreach Program
AmeriCares donates medical products — including medications, vitamins and formula — to qualified professionals providing charitable medical care in more than 70 countries around the world.

Direct Relief International (DRI)
DRI provides medical assistance to improve the quality of life for people victimized by poverty, disaster and civil unrest at home and throughout the world.

Ethicon, Inc. Medical Mission Program
Ethicon, Inc. partnered with Medical Assistance Program (MAP) International to provide suture packs to practitioners on overseas medical missions. Ethicon contributes products and pays the majority of handling expenses towards distribution of the packs.

Heart to Heart International
Heart to Heart International provides support and supplies to medical teams, hospitals, clinics and humanitarian groups around the world. Their "Ready Relief Box" contains medicine and supplies to treat 1,000 people.

MAP Travel Pack Program
The MAP Travel pack is a pre-packed assortment of medicines designed to equip doctors and nurses to treat common diseases and conditions. MAP ships approximately 3,000 kits for use in the field each year.

Medical Mission Box
Started in 2004, this program from Bristol-Myers Squibb and Direct Relief International supports U.S. physicians during overseas mission trips. Eligible physicians will be provided with a box of medical supplies for their use in the field.

Medical Supplies for Mission Trips
The Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) provides medicines and supplies free of charge to medical missionaries. As a founding member of the Partnership for Quality Medical Donations, CMMB works with responsible partners to ensure that quality supplies reach the intended recipients.

Partnership for Quality Medical Donations (PQMD) Mapping Tool
The PQMD Mapping Tool provides unprecedented access to information about the medical product donations being made by humanitarian organizations, pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers to the world's most vulnerable populations.