Why Natural Doctors International (NDI) Floats my Boat!

Natural Doctors International (NDI) started with 3 doctors who graduated from the National College of Naturopathic medicine (NCNM) in Oregon, USA with a strong desire to work in global health. No international natural health organizations existed at the time so those three brave souls (one being native Nicaraguan) moved to the island of Ometepe, Nicaragua to volunteer at the local hospital. After some time they had their own patient consultations in the hospital and eventually developed their own clinic (NDI) to practice exclusively naturopathic medicine (which, by the way, includes prescription medications and referrals when necessary). Now there are about 5 organizations and/or individuals working abroad in the field of naturopathic medicine.

What is EXTREMELY unique about this organization is their fundamental philosophy of respecting culture, providing sustainable care and leading through social responsibility. NDI recognizes that true health care occurs over a lifetime so ensures that there is a permanent resident physician working AND LIVING on site 24/7, 356 days a year. This is very different from many medical volunteer organizations that tend to provide “bandaid” type medical care in developing countries. Just like conventional medicine, this “in and out” model of medical volunteerism is appropriate for medical emergencies and acute care but does not address the fundamental health care needs of any community. The latter requires integration with community, funding for resident doctors, and partnerships with the country’s Ministry of Health.

What probably fascinates me most about NDI and the Nicaraguan health care system is that NDI’s clinic operates legally as a primary care clinic. They work with the local hospital and report everything to the ministry of health so we as volunteer students work in a protected and supportive environment. Nicaragua is the poorest country in the western hemisphere (after Haiti) and the poorest in Central America. But what is unique about Nicaragua is that it operates within a socialist-type health care system. So health care is free and health care access is relatively good (just not adequate resources to support it). 

Nicaragua has unique laws protecting traditional and natural medicine which, to some degree protects and supports NDs work in the clinic. On top of this, in first advocating for the role of NM in Nicaragua at the governmental level, founder, Dr. Tabatha Parker's, had her naturopathic education evaluated by a medical program in Nicaragua. The evaluation earned her a diploma and then a license (registry number) from the Ministry of Health (MINSA). This helped to make the case for our training as NDs which allows other resident and intern NDs to practice naturopathic medicine legally in Nicaragua. 

Another super interesting thing about their model is the mutually beneficial exchange that occurs. We the students pay for this amazing, life-changing and career-stimulating experience, volunteer our time, bring medical donations and then that money and medicine is used to run and fund the clinic. The clinic is open 3 days a week throughout the year, and everyday for the days a brigade is there. There are about 5 brigades per year and ANYONE interested in global health is invited to participate (check out their website! http://www.ndimed.org/). We immerse in the culture completely by living with host families close by the clinic. We eat what they eat, speak how they speak and sometimes even do what they do (like work in the fields) to get a full understanding of all the factors that contribute the reasons they come to see us in the clinic. 

On the brigade we are in the clinic for 4 full days 7:30-6pm and have global health classes each evening after clinic to learn about all the factors that lead to the down stream effects we see in the clinic. This includes the role of the IMF, WHO, UNICEF, local rebellions and government policies, NGOs etc. I learned SO much in these classes thanks to the amazing Ms Laura Farr, who is the wife of the resident doctor, Dr. Farr (pictured below). She is trained in political science, is the head of the Board of Directors of the Oregon Association of Naturopathic Doctors and works really hard to advocate for NM in the US. 

Dr. Tabatha Parker moved back to the US and is now doing some extremely important advocacy for naturopathic medicine in global health conversations. Many developing countries look to World Health Organization (WHO) for guidelines on their own health care policies so NDI has recognized the need to advocate for NM at the international level first. These international policies would then help drive policies for individual developing countries (like Jamaica!). The WHO is currently developing their policies for traditional and natural medicine so Dr. Parker is now actively developing a World Federation for Naturopathic Medicine to ensure that the ND voice is included in the international conversations and decision making.

NDI has literally been a dream come true. Finally.....FINALLY!....I have a vision of how this puzzle of global health and naturopathic medicine fits together. 

Thank YOU for helping me manifest this experience. Thank you to the NDI team for dreaming AND becoming. Thank you Dr. Tabatha Parker et. al, Dr. Farr, Dr. Andrews, Laura and Rachel for being phenomenal teachers and leaders. Thank you LIFE!

The journey continues....