Principles of Operation

USDFA provides care, counseling, education and planning assistance of the highest possible quality in conformity with the most advanced understandings and practices of medical science.

We seek to enable the African communities with which we engage to effectively and sustainably meet their local, regional and national medical needs.

Understanding that the quality of the care, education, counseling and planning assistance we provide is dependent on its reception by our African hosts, we seek to conduct our projects and ourselves in ways that are culturally and ethnically sensitive.

We help those in need without regard to race, religion, social orientation or ability to pay.

Care and Treatment

While US Doctors For Africa targets infectious diseases, our medical personnel provide medical and preventative health care of all kinds according to the needs of each community.

We support existing clinics where families obtain basic healthcare services and obstetrical care, including HIV testing, counseling and antiretroviral drugs. We specialize in care for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Prevention of mother-to-child transmission is a priority of our practice

In areas that we work, our volunteer medical professionals work alongside local medical personnel to provide treatment and other health care services to patients.

Community Mobilization

The battle against HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases requires the talent and commitment of medical communities on both sides of the Atlantic.

US Doctors for Africa brings volunteer teams of American medical professionals to Africa where they collaborate with local caregivers to provide treatment, assess current needs and prepare for the future. Working side by side, doctors from a wealth of backgrounds and experience forge bonds of friendship and educate each other personally and professionally.

We partner with healthcare providers and educators, private foundations, government and non-governmental organizations, community groups and political leaders in the United States and abroad in order to mobilize a comprehensive, cooperative and effective response to the African health crisis.

Leadership

US Doctors for Africa exercises leadership; whether coordinating existing efforts, implementing new ones, supporting our partners or identifying unmet challenges. As a clearinghouse for human resources, medical knowledge and technology, we know that collaboration magnifies our individual efforts. We believe leadership requires mutual respect, understanding, transparency and cooperation.

Education and Awareness

All US Doctors for Africa programs and projects are developed and implemented in consultation with local authorities and in consideration of local customs. Our HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention services, education and information programs are context specific and culturally appropriate.

Professional Training

US Doctors for Africa is dedicated to knowledge transfer as an essential component of its on-site programs. Educating and training patients, providers and other community stakeholders is essential to ending the cycle of dependence and building independently directed, locally managed and community supported health-care institutions in Africa.

Strategic Planning

As a key component of its outreach, US Doctors for Africa assigns qualified physicians and specialists to assess public health needs and to design, develop and implement the systemic practices and programs to meet them.

Working closely with relevant public health professionals, US Doctors for Africa creates pilot programs that test the replicability and sustainability of health care services designed to meet medical needs in complex, resource scarce contexts.

Project Assessment/Quality Control

We regularly and rigorously assess existing programs for efficiency, scalability and effectiveness using objective, qualitative metrics, whose methodology and results we share with our collaborators and local partners.