Past Programs

The Medical Education Program was an exchange program between George Washington University School of Medicine in the U.S. and Hue Medical College in Vietnam.  The multi-year program built knowledge and technical capacity among Vietnamese doctors and students, while providing international opportunities for U.S. doctors, administrators and students to learn about Vietnam’s health situation and provide technical assistance. For instance, Uplift International in cooperation with the National Fund for Vietnamese Children (NFVC), initiated a pilot program to upgrade the level of anesthesia services of St. Paul’s Children’s Hospital that included a donation of anesthesia equipment and training of physicians and nurses. Uplift International participated in training medical professionals in other hospitals in Vietnam and donated medical books to improve the medical library system.

The first successful telemedicine link between Vietnam and the United States was conducted by Uplift International and The University if Vermont College of Medicine/Fletcher Allen Healthcare In 1998.

The Asian economic crisis that started in 1997 wrought havoc on the Indonesian economy.  A large portion of its population slipped into poverty and a healthcare crisis ensued.  In September, 1998 when a FedEx DC-10 touched down in Jakarta.  The shipment valued at $1.3 million (wholesale value) was distributed to four hospitals indifferent parts of the country.  The donated medicines and medical supplies were specifically requested by the hospitals.  A complete list of donated items were carefully coordinated with the recipient hospitals and the Indonesian Ministry of Health. Uplift International also worked with The World Health Organization (WHO) on the importation of the shipment.

Uplift International continued to respond to the needs of Indonesian hospitals by providing medicines and medical supplies.  A second airlift provided commodities worth $726,000 (wholesale value).

Uplift International and Project HOPE airlifted medicines and medical supplies to Central Vietnam in response to the cyclone of 1999 that caused massive flooding.  The medicines and medical supplies replaced the supplies that were damaged in the flooding.  Not only did the supplies go to Hue Central Hospital in the imperial city of Hue and to Quang Tri Provincial Hospital in Quang Tri along the old DMZ, but supplies were distributed to medical facilities throughout the coastal region.

Working under a grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Uplift International conducted an assessment of the conditions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) forced to leave their home during the civil war in Aceh Province in North Sumatra, Indonesia.  This assessment was used by USAID to determine the necessary next steps for assistance to the IDPs.

This multidisciplinary project in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, focused on improving child survival in one of the most vulnerable populations –-severely malnourished children under age five years. Uplift International provided training to health professionals in follow-up patient care and family nutrition education from 1999 – 2002.

Uplift International’s reputation for innovation and effective program implementation prompted the U.S. Navy to select the organization to conduct a comprehensive health assessment of the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico and recommend health projects that would respond to the needs of the people.

For sixty years the U.S. Navy operated a highly controversial test bombing range on the small island.  It was a lightning rod for protest by local and outside activists that brought world-wide attention to the alleged detrimental health effects of the bombings on the population of the island.  Working at the grass roots level within the Vieques community, Uplift International developed a health plan for the Navy that addressed leading health concerns of the population, while providing improved access to preventive care.

Uplift International spearheaded and supported the first health and human rights conference in Indonesia in collaboration with the Indonesian Doctor’s Association.  The conference brought together health and legal professionals and the Indonesian Ministries of Health and Justice, as well as representatives from NGOs, government organizations and donors.  Presentations and discussions were focused on leading health issues in Indonesia and multidisciplinary solutions to helping all Indonesians, especially the most vulnerable, improve health, well-being and justice.

Within 24 hours of the Indian Ocean tsunami that hit Aceh, Indonesia in 2004, Uplift International airlifted 25 tons/$7million of medicines & medical supplies to the survivors of the earthquake/tsunami. It funded 320 Indonesian doctors and other health professionals to staff 15 camps for displaced persons. The effort treated 19,000 patients. We also rebuilt the research library, computer center and classrooms of Syiah Kuala University Medical School, the only medical school in the province of Aceh.