medical missions

COVID is changing medical fly-in missions — and it might be for the better

6:57am October 07, 2021

For decades, Western docs and nurses have parachuted into poor countries to perform surgeries. That's not working in this pandemic. But there's a new twist that holds promise.

On a trip to India, Abraar Karan (second from right) interviews a local woman to talk about the challenges of cataracts.

Opinion: It's Time To End The Colonial Mindset In Global Health

1:39pm December 30, 2019

by Abraar Karan

Health workers from rich countries who do short-term stints in poor countries are perpetuating the colonialist story in which the "white savior" comes to the rescue of the native population.

We Asked, You Answered: Are Fly-In Medical Missions Helpful Or Harmful?

7:00am June 02, 2019

by Marc Silver

Our readers weigh in on volunteer missions, where Western medical workers spent a short time in a poor country providing free care.

Is It Time To Rethink The Fly-In Medical Mission?

9:55pm March 27, 2019

by Joanne Silberner

These trips — where volunteers from the West perform surgeries in poorer countries — are a multibillion-dollar endeavor. But is this the best way to provide health care to needy nations?