Santa Cruz Area, Bolivia (Eye Surgery, Optical)

MMI sent our first medical team to Bolivia in 2003, and North American volunteers with MMI continue to support the MMI Bolivia project leaders and team today. The teams aim to provide specialized vision services along with basic primary care and dental care. This project has the option of 1 or 2-week commitment.

This project needs a comprehensive vision care team including Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, Nurses, Technicians, and Support Team Members. Vision care projects are focused in urban areas, and include opportunities for local medical personnel to receive training. These large projects typically see a high volume of patients, and we provide screenings, exams, dispense eyeglasses, laser treatments, prostheses, pterygia, glaucoma, cataract & phaco, strabismus surgeries, and more to help the municipality deal with the need for these services. The team will be staffed with North American volunteers, MMI Bolivia, and involve local staff.

Participants are expected to fundraise on behalf of Medical Ministry International to help raise the funds necessary to cover the budgeted costs of the Project Teams. These fundraising goal minimums include accommodations, meals, travel insurance, and malpractice insurance. Air fare is not included.

We have implemented rigorous biosafety, patient management, and project team safety protocols in response to COVID-19. Agreement to follow protocols will be required as part of the online application process. Project planning is ongoing for all 2021 programs. Project status will be confirmed 90 days prior to departure based on current information as Medical Ministry International monitors the global impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.