Our Story

At Doctors Worldwide, we believe that good health enables people and communities to define their own future. Without good health, a parent cannot take care of their family, nor can a child meet their full potential. As a result, communities miss out on a chance to grow and contribute to their collective wellbeing. Access to quality healthcare is not a privilege, it is a human right, and we work towards making that a reality, especially for the most vulnerable communities.

How Do We Do It?

At Doctors Worldwide, we strive to improve the health of communities by working in partnership with international, national and grassroots organizations. We support locally identified needs through building or rehabilitating health facilities, ensuring essential medical equipment and supplies, delivering training, as well as expert medical advice and guidance on service development. Our approach is anchored in the appreciation of local culture and context, and we address gaps in healthcare provision by means of low cost, high impact solutions.

Our work focuses on 3 areas:

• Health Access - providing access to basic and essential lifesaving healthcare needs
• Health Improvement - strengthening existing healthcare systems to deliver better healthcare
• Health Emergencies - enabling local communities to respond to crisis situations

Our Theory Of Change

If we serve communities in need by

• Improving access to quality healthcare
• Sharing knowledge and expertise
• Collaborating with local communities, organisations & local governments
• Strengthening local community responses to health emergencies
• And working together to develop sustainable health solutions

Then...

• Parents will be able to nurture and provide for their families
• Children can grow and pursue interests over necessity
• And communities can work together to contribute towards their collective success and well being
• Whilst also building resilience before and after emergencies when they occur

As a result...

Together we can work towards building a healthier and happier future for everyone across the world

Our Beginnings

Doctors Worldwide (UK) was established in 2001 as a response to the observed challenges in delivering quality medical assistance through programmes which demonstrated community participation and collaborative partnerships, and a sensitivity of local culture and customs. Having witnessed the Balkan conflicts of Bosnia and Kosovo and the challenges faced by non-medical experts in delivering health programmes, a group of international medics collaborated and launched Doctors Worldwide with a simple aim; to help local communities to develop, build and sustain health services for a healthier and happier future.

Over the years, Doctors Worldwide has expanded to include chapters globally including ourselves in the USA. Our team of volunteers and staff come from all backgrounds and professions to ensure our collaborative approach continues to have integrity and clinical excellence at its heart.

What’s Different About Us?

We are an independent charity having been funded previously entirely by public donations. We are not a faith organization or a political one. However, we do recognise the importance of cultural, religious and universal humanitarian values. By linking medical expertise with cultural knowledge and values, we can build capacity, empower local communities, and produce effective solutions that will leave a lasting legacy long after we have gone.

Why Support Us?

We believe everyone has the basic human right to good healthcare. Our work would not be possible without donors and committed supporters like you. We realize that sustainability comes by being committed to local communities for the long term. Our cultural approach allows us to understand how things get done locally. Our expertise in creative solutions and experience in healthcare means we work towards a low cost and high impact model of delivery.