June 20th, 2025

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HF Students on a medical mission to Guyana

The University of Toledo's Humanity First Student Organization led a Gift of Health mission to Guyana this week under the guidance of lead physician Dr. Matthew Swartz,

Berbice

The team served 191 patients with optical care, HIV testing, general medical check-ups, pharmacy support, hay fever vaccinations, and more. High demand for optical care and general consultations reflected urgent health needs in the community. Many patients shared concerns about affording regular medications, and multivitamins were among the most requested items.

The team stayed nearly two hours longer than planned to ensure every patient was seen. The Mayor of Berbice made an official visit to the site, expressing appreciation for this care for his community.

Two people wearing blue medical scrubs stand behind a table full of boxes and bottles of medications.

St. Cuthbert's Mission

A total of 156 patients came to the clinic in this rural, indigenous area for blood pressure/sugar testing, HIV testing, doctor consultation, pharmacy, dental and optical services or to donate blood.

The team gave out 200 dental hygiene kits, glasses, clothing, toys, shoes, and 54 food hampers.

They were also honored to receive a visit from the village chief.

A group photo in front of a building made of wood with a peaked thatched roof. Many members of the group wear matching blue t-shirts. The sign over the door to the building says Medical Camp.

Georgetown Water St. Police Outpost

In the Guyanese capital, Georgetown, the team collaborated with The Ministry of Health, Guyana Police Force, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at Guyana, and other local nonprofit and business partners.

The U.S. Embassy is also a regular partner, and U.S. Ambassador to Guyana Nicole D. Theriot came to greet the team.

201 patients received vital checks, and many took advantage of the chance to receive HIV testing and optical services. 40 people were fitted for new glasses, and 100 received food and clothing.

Under an open wall tent a long table with blue tablecloths is set up. Chairs on each side are filled with people in blue medical scrubs on one side and people in plain clothes on the other talking to each other. More people sit on an adjacent row of chairs

A group of young people wearing blue medical scrubs and one middle aged person wearing green scrubs pose with a woman in dress who is the US Ambassador to Guyana.

If you are a post-secondary student or a medical professional who wants to learn more about joining a Gift of Health mission, email giftofhealth@us.humanityfirst.org.

Thank you to the U.S. team and to dozens of local volunteers who helped make each day of the clinic a success!

HF Guyana, with support from HFUSA, also holds local medical outreaches and distributes food to schools and neighborhoods.

Last month volunteers also served 100 patients in Berbice in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and local partners. Other members of the team distributed food to an underserved neighborhood.

Come See Us!

We are very excited to see the Humanity First family at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Jalsa convention in Richmond July 4-6th.

If you will be there, come to learn something new about Humanity First or say hello to your friends on the team.

Enjoy this #FlashbackFriday pic. More to come - see you soon!

One man hands a red plastic bag of qurbani meat to another man who smiles at the camera. Behind them is a sign for Humanity First Guyana.

Your Qurbani helped 92,000 people

Nearly 800 donors participated in Qurbani Service offered by Humanity First USA for Eid-ul-Adha.

The meat from 117 cows and 446 goats or lambs helped to feed 92,000 people in Burkina Faso, Guyana, Indonesia, Liberia, Mali, Palestine, and Tanzania. Humanity First globally reached 1.1 million beneficiaries in 71 countries. Thank you very much for your contributions.

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