Mission Completed…

May 17 – 28, 2016

Greetings MOA Members and Friends,

It has been a little over two years since our last medical mission to Bhutan and we have just received permission from the Bhutan Ministry of Health for another mission effort later this Spring.

In the Fall of 2013 we took a team of 12 doctors, dentists, and support staff into Bhutan for an 11 day mission to Southeastern Bhutan, a remote area with limited support and services. It was an amazing trip that offered our team a total immersion into the culture, history, and countryside of this fascinating and progressive nation.

This year we would like to build on that mission effort and the relationships we formed there by returning to the same region in Bhutan.

Bhutan is a unique and special country struggling to maintain its identity with China to the North and India to the South. A Buddhist kingdom on the Himalayas’ eastern edge, it is a land of monasteries, fortresses (or dzongs) and dramatic topography ranging from subtropical plains to steep mountains and valleys. The mountain terrain limits the mobility of much of the population and adds to the remote nature of the clinic sites we will visit during our time there. We will have the chance to travel by chartered bus across a large swath of the Southeastern interior viewing the cultural and historic landmarks along the way where we will arrive to our first homestay in the tiny village of Buli.

The Bhutan Health Unit (BHU) in Buli is staffed by a midwife and her husband. We will walk to the BHU location each morning through the village to conduct 2 1/2 days of clinic. From there we will head further into the mountains to a recently opened area above Buli for an additional day and a half of clinic.

Each of the clinic days will be filled with the local population coming to seek our support and the village will host our team members for meals, music and traditional dancers around a bonfire each evening.

It is a unique and memorable experience that will open your eyes to the rich and fascinating culture of Bhutan. A complete immersion into a society that will give you a first hand perspective of life in this amazing land.

Our return back to the capital will give us additional chances to stop and visit Buddhist monasteries, ancient hilltop Dzongs, and sample the culinary delights of the surrounding countryside. A quick in-country flight from Bumthang will bring us back to Thimphu (the capital) where you will have the option of hiking to the famed Tigers Nest Monastery which clings to soaring cliffs overlooking the valley below or exploring the many cultural highlights in Thimphu.

The Currently Proposed Agenda is:

Tuesday, May 17th: Depart Bangkok on early AM flight on Druk Airlines to Paro.

Transfer to the capital Thimphu for free afternoon.

Wednesday, May 18th: Depart for Buli with an overnight in Trongsa.
Thursday, May 19th: Arrive Buli. Set up for 1/2 day clinic and Buli BHU
Friday, May 20th: Clinic Buli
Saturday, May 21st: Clinic Buli
Sunday, May 22nd: Travel to Gelephu for 1/2 day clinic
Monday, May 23rd: Clinic at Gelephu BHU
Tuesday, May 24th: Travel to Bumthang. Afternoon free
Wednesday, May 25th: Free day Bumthang
Thursday, May 26th: Travel to Paro and transfer Thimphu
Friday, May 27th: Hike to Tiger’s Nest. Farewell Dinner with local authorities and diplomates in the capital hosted by Ministry of Health.
Saturday, May 28th: Morning flight to Bangkok.

Many team members can fly out that afternoon or evening from Bangkok arriving back the same day (May 28th) after crossing the dateline.

Again, Bhutan has some of the most spectacular scenery in the world and is not to be missed! Please let Ed Atwell MD or myself know if you are interested or have any questions regarding this incredible mission! We have a limited window to fill the mission so don’t delay with questions or acceptance.

The tax deductible donation for this mission is $3600; this includes roundtrip airfare to Bhutan from Bangkok, all lodging and transportation costs in country, meals, medications and supplies (airfare to and from Bangkok and alcoholic drinks not included).

If you unable to join us please share with friends, colleagues, or anyone who wants an adventure of a lifetime into one of the worlds most unique cultures.

Visit our website at: www.MedicalOutreachofAmerica.com

Ed Atwell, M.D.
(770) 655-5268
atwelle@gmail.com

Steve Mason
(360) 607-8400
stevemason@gmail.com

Medical Outreach of America, Inc.
Building Bridges, Connecting Worlds
www.medicaloutreachofamerica.com