MMI's STRATEGIC PLAN IN RESPONSE TO THE GILLS CHALLENGE 

INTRODUCTION

The mission of Medical Ministry International (MMI) is to serve Jesus Christ by providing physical and spiritual health care in this world of need.  In addition to its already established short-term missions, MMI has embarked on a program to establish permanent medical centers around the world.  On October 23, 1999, through an extraordinary gesture to help MMI start this important effort, Dr. James Gills of Tarpon Springs, Florida announced a $5,000,000 challenge gift to match donations to MMI.  Gifts must be received by December 31, 2000 to be applied to the match.  This document is written to describe MMI's plans for short-term missions in 2001, and for permanent centers since the establishment of the Gills Challenge in October 1999.  Additional financial and long-term plan information is available on request. 

MMI operates in a world with constantly changing political situations.  Moreover, MMI desires to prayerfully follow God's leading.  As a result, this planning document is more fluid than most. It is provided in good faith to those interested in seeking God's guidance with us. 

HISTORY AND CURRENT STATUS

Formed originally as Medical Group Missions in 1967, Medical Ministry International provides two-week opportunities for volunteers to work in medical/dental/surgical and eye projects.  MMI encourages Christian spiritual development through devotions and prayers, evangelism and discipleship.  Since 1967, over 35,000 volunteers have served in more than 40 countries.  MMI now is a joint ministry of Medical Ministry USA and Medical Group Missions, Canada, and is the world's largest short-term Christian medical mission organization.  In 1999, MMI operated two permanent facilities with eye training programs, surgery, and general medical and dental care: the Elias Santana Center in Los Alcarrizos, Dominican Republic and Centro Cristiano de Servicios Medicos in El Progreso, Honduras.  In 1999 MMI ran 61 short-term missions with more than 3,000 volunteers.  Over 250,000 indigent and working poor people received care.  Of this total 100,000 were eye patients. 

MMI works with local health, education and civic leaders, as well as local missionaries and Christian leaders.  Volunteers provide their own airfare and pay a project fee that underwrites global project costs.  Over 70% of our participants serve on more than one mission.  MMI employs 32 people and operated the entire short-term mission program last year on a budget of $1,225,000 (US).  Recent calculations indicate that MMI's short-term mission ministry delivers over $30,000,000 in medical services for the poor, a benefit to cost ratio of about 30 to 1. 

Today, there is a huge need in the world for this medical ministry.  As followers of Jesus, we imitate Him as we meet this need.  MMI is using a two-pronged effort to provide the poor with the care they desperately need.  One way is through short-term missions that provide medical and spiritual health care in many areas of the world. The second is through the creation of permanent centers in areas where MMI has successfully operated short-term missions and where there is great need for on-going care.

IMMEDIATE PLANS FOR SHORT-TERM MISSION ACTIVITY

The core of MMI's work will continue to be short-term missions (STM).  In 2001, MMI plans to slightly expand the number of STM projects, adding new sites in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.  In 2001 MMI will increase mission participant growth by 5% and strengthen communications and computer systems to improve short-term mission planning.  A full list of planned STM projects is available on our web site calendar.

THE MMI VISION FOR PERMANENT CENTERS

Overview – MMI's permanent centers will address the medical needs of the poor, provide advanced training for medical doctors, hospital administrators, and technicians as well as introductory training for nurses.  Health education at the village level is rapidly becoming a major MMI emphasis, raising community standards and improving public health for all.  The ten centers discussed here will support medical and surgical care for a minimum of 500,000 patients each year. 

Building Plans – As of August 2000, MMI has opened or begun to build new permanent centers in Azerbaijan, Ecuador, and Mexico.  Additionally, it is expanding centers in the Dominican Republic.  In 2001, MMI plans to begin new centers in Guatemala and Armenia, add locations in Mexico, and expand its center in Honduras. The centers will use modular construction of 6500 square feet, housing waiting and exam areas, administration and operating rooms.  The facilities will have state-of-the-art equipment to perform 90% of surgical procedures most frequently needed by the indigent. 

Operations – Each center will be operated as a locally owned, not-for-profit corporation with MMI representation on each Board of Directors. The permanent MMI link supports the setting up and maintaining of the highest standards of medical care.  Periodic visits by MMI teams will provide ongoing encouragement and help with any surgical backlog.  

Local staff will provide ongoing patient care and day-to-day administration.  Prior to the opening of a new center, the new administrator and medical leadership will be trained at the Santana Center. Most new centers will open first with ophthalmic services. Surgical and other specialties will be added as God provides leadership and appropriate medical personnel. Initial staff will include an administrator, a doctor, a nurse and a maintenance person.  Our 6500 foot first stage building will allow this staff to grow along with patient demand up to a ceiling of 50,000 patients per year.  At that point a second phase construction project will be necessary.  

By December 2000, MMI will complete the writing of medical and administrative standards, MMI Standards of Operation (MMISOs), for use by all permanent centers affiliated with the ministry. 

Training – We seek, with God's help, the very best minds for training in our centers, people who will train others.  Eye department personnel from new centers will be trained at the Elias Santana Center in the Dominican Republic.  Medical doctors currently in practice will need only short-term training to join our work, some of which can be done at an MMI mission site.  Santana offers a complete three-year Ophthalmology residency program for medical doctors conducted in English and Spanish.  Santana accepts fellows in any of the ophthalmology sub-specialties, and has a three-year, university based, Ophthalmic Technology course, as well as a three-month administration program.   

In 2001, MMI will accelerate its training program by establishing regional training centers.  Currently, our Honduras program is training one resident under academic license with the Universidad de Montemorelos of Mexico, which itself has six residents studying ophthalmology.  MMI Ecuador now has its first resident in house as well. 

Capital and Operating Costs – The cost to build each new center is $500,000 to $900,000.  This includes land acquisition, training of personnel, construction of the center and purchase of equipment. Patients will pay a minimal fee for treatment on an "actual cost plus" basis.  Average fees are ten to fifty per cent of the cost of local private care.  Those fees will provide enough income to support the center's operating expense and 50% of capital expenses to grow the mission.  We estimate the first year's operating costs will be $75,000 to $100,000. 

Warehousing – A new 15,000 sq ft warehouse is being constructed for MMI.  It is being built near Philadelphia to support new clinic construction and operations, and support short-term missions. This extra capacity will allow MMI to negotiate bulk purchases of supplies for centers assuring the lowest prices for imported goods.

FINANCIAL NEEDS TO SUPPORT THESE PLANS FOR MMI 

Short-Term Mission Support and Operations     $1,500,000

MMI has budgeted for 1400 mission participants to provide a participation fee of $875 for $1,225,000.  In addition MMI will raise $275,000 in Patron Fund contributions to help underwrite the program.  This budget provides all project set up costs including staff salaries, travel, computer support and communications as well as field costs of food, housing and transportation.  Fundraising expenses related to the short-term program are included as well. As MMI expands, systems and personnel must be in place to assure adequate management of resources and volunteers and the development of funds to support MMI's mission.

Ten Permanent Centers (average cost of $700,000)   $7,000,000 

Operating Expenses for Centers ($100,000 per center)     $1,000,000

It is prudent for MMI to plan to fully support each center for the first year.  Over the course of several years centers will sustain 100% of operations and 50% of capital needs. 

Training of Medical Doctors, Technologists and Managers   $500,000

MMI will train medical personnel from each country where it plans to set up permanent clinics, including at least five MDs, three Ophthalmic Technologists, and provide a three-month general management program to 12 trainees.  Transportation and housing for personnel are included in this total.  MMI will support the development of new regional training sites in Mexico, Ecuador, and Azerbaijan. 

Warehouse     $400,000

Medical, Surgical Supplies and Equipment

All costs for equipment are included in either the start-up cost for new centers or in operating expenses.  Please contact MMI for a complete list of equipment needs.

Future Site Selection          $325,000

In 2001, MMI will actively pursue the selection of permanent centers for 2002 and 2003 through prayer, and meetings with country leaders and doctors all over the world.  Potential new sites will be evaluated according to criteria established for new centers.

Contingency Funds (five percent of funds to be expended)  $500,000

TOTAL FUNDS NEEDED FOR SHORT-TERM MISSIONS THROUGH 2000 AND PERMANENT CENTERS THROUGH 2001          =        $11,225,000

Breakdown of Funds needed to be raised from donors by December 31st, 2000.

Patron Fund                                          $  275,000

Permanent Centers Constructions              $7,000,000

Permanent Centers Operations                  $1,000,000

Training                                                $   500,000

Warehouse                                            $   400,000 

Future Site Selection                              $   325,000

Contingency Funds                                 $   500,000

Medical Equipment                                 $            0

Total                                                   $10,000,000

TOTAL FUNDS PROVIDED BY PARTICIPANTS FEES            $1,225,000          

TOTAL REVENUE AND EXPENSES FOR MMI $11,225,000

CONCLUSION

"Men make plans, but God brings it to pass."  We are watching as God has greatly multiplied our plans.  Thank you for your participation in reading these plans.  Please feel free to contact MMI's office in Dallas (972.727.5864) if you would like more information about MMI's short-term program and MMI500.  We encourage you to pass this document on to others who might be interested in the work of MMI.

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