The Physicians With Heart airlift is bringing donated pharmaceuticals, medical instruments and supplies, and educational sessions to Tajikistan, a former Soviet republic, Oct. 13 - 23.
Physicians With Heart is an annual project of the Academy, AAFP Foundation and the humanitarian organization Heart to Heart International. The 23 family physicians in the delegation to Tajikistan will lead educational sessions on the donated products and family medicine and will present the Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics provider course. The total value of medical aid to Tajikistan is about $8.3 million (wholesale value), including an early shipment of insulin worth $1.1 million.
Some delegation members are traveling to Tajikistan aboard the C-17 transport the U.S. State Department provided to deliver the donated aid. The country borders Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China and is within 150 miles of Pakistan areas struck by earthquakes recently.
Physician With Heart volunteers will conduct service projects that will help about 400 children, including 200 street children in Dushanbe, the country's capital.
Photos from the Tajikistan journey will be posted online after Oct. 18.
