A PROPOSAL FOR THE FORMATION OF AN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH/MEDICAL CORPS

It is long past time when an International Health/Medical Corps (IH/MC) should be formed to serve the poorest one-third of nations who cannot afford the proper preparation of their own public health and medical care personnel. Our Section should make contact on this matter with WHO and major foundations and urge the call for an IH/MC Planning Conference. WHO, Doctors without Borders, and others with experience in offering public health and medical care in the poorest countries should be asked to participate. WHO could be the official organizer of such a conference. Topics to consider should include:

• Institutions which would train Corps members.
• Recruitment of students from poor countries who would return to serve in their home countries.
• The curriculum, including medical and health social sciences and development (recalling the role of health care in development in the Mound Bayou Mississippi experience, among others).
• Organization and administration of the IH/MC.
• Identification of task group to plan details and prepare a proposal to a major foundation.
• Other topics.