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Recommended Sites
Medical initiatives in the DRC and elsewhere in Africa:
United Front Against Riverblindness
Dr. Youmans' current involvement in Congo is as vice-president of the United Front Against Riverblindness (UFAR), a nonprofit corporation that is led by Dr. Daniel Shungu working in cooperation with the WHO, Merck, and other international agencies to eradicate the blindness caused by onchocerciasis, an eye infection transmitted by a tiny fly. This disease is endemic in isolated areas along streams in central Africa, especially in Congo. Half or more of the adults in these villages are already blind. They must be led about by their children who then cannot go to school or leave the village. These children are destined also to become blind by age thirty, and the cycle continues. The disease can be eradicated but it requires all of the patients in the village to be treated every year for 12 to 15 years. The UFAR is working among a population of one million people in the Kasongo Province and is committed to sustaining their efforts for the next twelve years.
Blessings International
Dr. Harold Harder, a pharmacologist, is the director of this organization that provides pharmaceuticals and medical supplies of the highest quality at reasonable costs to hospitals and clinics in developing countries. Dr. Youmans is on their board of directors.
Health Teams International (.pdf document)
Dr. & Mrs. Bob Miller founded this ministry that enables volunteer health care workers to provide dental and medical care to unreached populations around the world. Dr. Richard Charlick is the current president and Dr. Youmans is on the board of directors.
www.WilliamTCloseMD.com
Dr. William T. Close, MD was President Mobutu's personal physician for 16 years and is the author of Beyond the Storm. This new book covers Congo's medical crises of the 1960s and 1970s from his unique perspective.
Doctors Without Borders: Congo
Congo-specific news from this Nobel Peace Prize-winning organization.
Congo regional information:
Wikipedia: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
An excellent country overview on the Internet's collaboratively produced encyclopedia.
CIA Factbook: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Another excellent Congo overview produced by the US CIA.