The backbone of NDI services is our health clinic. Our clinic provides underserved communities free medical care from naturopathic physicians and other natural medicine providers, free medicines, a free ambulance service and long-term medical support for patients with chronic conditions.
Through volunteer licensed naturopathic physicians, NDI runs integrative health clinics around the world using a model that incorporates short and long term health programs and community enhancement projects. In Ometepe, Nicaragua, our pilot site has run a successful integrative health clinic since 2004. We have attended more than 13,000 patients, donated more than $200,000 US worth of supplies and medicines and carried out numerous successful community projects.
Located in Central America, Nicaragua is a country of 5.5 million people. Nicaragua is also the second poorest country in the Western hemisphere. The remoteness of Ometepe, an island of two volcanos, limits access to healthcare to many of its people. Nicaragua is an example of the growing global economic disparity that exists, with the average Nicaraguan making 2$ per day.
The NDI clinic is located within the small town of Los Angeles and we also work in various other clinics on the island. Our team treats patients of all ages including newborns, children, pregnant women, adults and elderly for general health consults or emergencies. Our doctors work collaboratively with MD’s and nurses in the various clinics that we work at, providing care for up to 30 patients per day. Volunteers gain a more intimate experience with the people they are serving by living within the community.
In addition to our clinical services, NDI manages a variety of health and community projects on the island. Our volunteer physicians participate in all aspects of the NDI wholistic approach to global health, working in the clinic, the field, and teaching 10-day health courses on “Natural Medicine in Global Health” that are run throughout the year and are open to anyone interested.
Naturopathic Physician Long Term Volunteers
NDI places licensed naturopathic physicians in high-need areas to serve 1-year rotations providing free medical care – but these doctors often go beyond their duty of simply bringing medicine to people. NDI doctors are the heart of all the NDI medical and community programs. You can Sponsor a Doctorfor very little money which helps provide many patients with continuous health care. Our doctors dedicate their hearts and time to the patients and programs of NDI.
Helping Hands & Sponsor a Patient
This dynamic program has two arms – a medical assistance arm and an emergency transportation arm. The assistance arm of Helping Hands provides both natural and pharmaceutical medicines to our pharmacy. Helping Hands stocks an NDI pharmacy with common vitamins and medicines that are not available in the hospital from the generous donations of USA corporations and purchases from local Nicaraguan businesses. Purchasing products from local pharmacies directly supports the Nicaraguan economy. Sponsor a Patient extends small funds to specific patients for medicines we do not carry in the clinic, diagnostic testing, and transportation for emergencies.
Over the years many patients have sought out NDI for support and assistance with health challenges. Sponsor a Patient began when Rosa an 11-year old patient whose monthly medications were $150.00 USD, an amount simply unaffordable for her family, looked to NDI for support. A youth group of martial-arts students from the Wayne Owen Fighting Arts (WOFA) in Grants Pass, Oregon, began the Sponsor a Patient program to help patients like Rosa. Today, the Sponsor a Patient program has provided assistance to many patients and families by funding medications, specialized exams, hospital transportation and appointments with specialists. Thanks to all the great kids at WOFA for their huge hearts and generosity!