Medical Brigade Brings Free Healthcare to Families in the Dominican Republic
In June, a team of 13 MedWish MedWorks volunteers traveled to the Dominican Republic to provide free healthcare to underserved families. This was our second medical brigade in partnership with Lighthouse DR.
Volunteers arrived with suitcases packed with medical supplies, hygiene products, and first-aid kits for patients from the local communities. After landing, the team immediately got to work setting up the clinic and pharmacy in preparation for three days of patient care.
The brigade was hosted at Lighthouse DR's newly constructed clinic, which is scheduled to officially open this year, tentatively in the fall. Throughout the week, volunteers provided pediatric, general medicine, and women's health services, caring for a total of 338 patients. Each patient first met with triage volunteers before seeing a provider and receiving medications, health education, and referrals to a local physician when follow-up care was needed.
The week offered powerful reminders of the importance of access to healthcare. Families often arrived together, with parents bringing multiple children for check-ups and treatment. On the brigade's busiest clinic day, volunteers cared for 129 patients, including many children and families of Haitian descent. Community members stepped forward to help bridge language barriers, translating from English to Spanish and Spanish to Creole to ensure every patient could receive care.
“I was proud to work alongside these dedicated individuals and medical partners to provide the necessary resources to enhance the care given to so many patients. Without our volunteers, the residents would not have had access to the basic healthcare they need.”
The team also witnessed the lasting impact of donated medical resources. During a medical emergency, a cardiac monitor, shipped by MedWish MedWorks in 2024, was used to help monitor a patient's condition while awaiting transport to a hospital, demonstrating how donated equipment continues to support patient care long after it is delivered.
This brigade represents the continued growth of our partnership with Lighthouse DR. What began several years ago with handcarried medical supplies evolved into larger shipments of donated medical equipment and supplies and now includes volunteer medical teams serving alongside local partners. Lighthouse DR's staff and volunteers played an essential role throughout the week, helping prepare for the team's arrival and serving as translators and support staff during clinic operations.
We are grateful to Lighthouse DR, our dedicated volunteers, translators, and community members whose support made this week of service possible. Together, we are helping strengthen access to healthcare and improve health outcomes for families in the Dominican Republic.
