IMA World Health is an international, nonprofit health care service organization.[1][2] IMA's stated purpose is to "provide health care…without bias, to vulnerable and marginalized people in the developing world."[3] It is a member of the Corus International family of faith-based international development organizations, which include Lutheran World Relief, CGA Technologies, Ground Up Investing and Farmers Market Brands LLC.
| Formation | 1960 |
|---|---|
| Founded at | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Type | non profit |
| Purpose | Global public health |
Key people | Daniel V. Speckhard President &(CEO) |
| Website | imaworldhealth |
Daniel V. Speckhard serves as president and CEO for IMA World Health, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States.[2][3] IMA is a member of the Core Group for Child Survival, the Global Health Council, and the Partnership for Quality Medical Donations.[4] In addition, IMA is registered with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).[4]
History
editIMA World Health, also known as Interchurch Medical Assistance, was formed in 1960 as a coalition of a number of faith-based relief and development agencies.[4][5][6] IMA's aim was to centralize and oversee requests for gifts-in-kind from pharmaceutical and medical supply manufacturers and appropriately channel them to healthcare facilities, refugee centers, and disaster relief programs.[4][7] The organization began distributing the donations from a warehouse in Maryland. The warehouse was operated by one of IMA's sponsors, the Church of the Brethren.[7] To date, the organization has managed over $1 billion in supplies and shipped them to 52 countries.[7]
In addition to the distribution of needed medical supplies, IMA has provided medical services to people in areas devastated by civil strife and natural disaster.[7] In 2010, three of the agency's own employees, including then-CEO Rick Santos, narrowly escaped death while working to end Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis) in Haiti.[8] The workers spent 50 hours trapped in the rubble of a hotel in Port-au-Prince after an earthquake struck the region, but they were ultimately rescued.[6] The organization responded to the disaster by providing medicine boxes and hygiene kits.[6][8]
In the late 1990s, IMA World Health expanded its efforts to include the management of healthcare service projects in developing nations.[4] The organization worked to build basic health systems and services, control diseases including HIV/AIDS and NTDs (Neglected Tropical Diseases), and foster local faith-based support.[4][9][10] IMA also recruits personnel to serve in areas of need.[4] Its workers are involved in projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Southern Sudan, and Tanzania.[3][10]
References
edit- ^ "Charity Navigator Guide". Charity Navigator. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
- ^ a b "Forbes List of Charities". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 4, 2011. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
- ^ a b c "Full Record". CARR. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g "IMA World Health Profile". Volunteers of Prosperity. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- ^ "Interchurch Medical Assistance: History". Guide Star. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- ^ a b c "Md. aid group shares tears of joy and relief". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on 2014-05-13. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
- ^ a b c d "INTERCHURCH MEDICAL ASSISTANCE DRUG/MEDICAL SUPPLY SHIPMENTS OF OVER $10 MIL". Elsevier. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
- ^ a b "In fast 3 seconds, world caved in". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on 2014-05-12. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
- ^ "IMA World Health". NT Denvision. Archived from the original on October 18, 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
- ^ a b "IMA World Health". Trachoma Coalition. Archived from the original on 1 July 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2013.