In addition to treating health problems, staff of the clinic and Medical Missionaries volunteers are beginning to address some of the underlying causes of health problems such as malnutrition, contaminated water, poor housing, and the lack of clothing and shoes.

Since 2007, Medical Missionaries has been providing distribution of food to a remote area of the Dominican Republic, on the border of Haiti, with funding from USAID.  More than 10,000 portions of dehydrated soup are delivered monthly to families who, for the most part, are subsistence farmers and live in the mountainous region north of Pedro Santana.  Medical Missionaries also provides medicine and surgical services to this area. 

In January 2009, Medical Missionaries started a food program at a small school in Thomassique, Haiti.  Made possible by a grant from a private source, a hot nutritious lunch is provided each day to all the students at the school.  Watch a short video showing this food program in action.

In February 2009, the clinic established its own Institutional Review Board (IRB) to oversee the quality of research studies conducted at the clinic.  This is a formally designated committee that reviews, approves, and monitors research involving human subjects to protect their rights.  The Medical Missionaries IRB at St. Joseph Clinic functions under guidelines of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services.  

In March 2009, a nutritional supplement program was introduced for malnourished children, to restore them to health.  About 40 to 50 malnourished children are seen each month at the clinic.  Under this program, each child is de-wormed and given a two-month regimen of Medika Mamba, a peanut butter mixture fortified with vitamins, powdered milk, oils, and honey.  The treatment has a 90% success rate.  For more information, you can read the study design.

In April 2009, an experimental project was begun to assess the value of two home-based water purification systems.  The study will compare the usability and effectiveness of a granular chlorine system (Klorfasil) and a solar disinfection system (SODIS).  (Read the study design.)  Based on the results of this study, it is anticipated that one system will be offered to all the households in one of the outlying villages of Thomassique.