Doctors donate day's pay to fight poverty in Africa

Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief
News Release

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TORONTO - Last World Health Day, on April 7th, over 100 physicians across Canada demonstrated their commitment to overcoming poverty in Africa by donating part or all of their day's income to Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief's (CPAR's) 2nd Annual World Health Day Challenge - this year the organization is hoping to see more than 150 physicians take the Challenge and raise $100,000 to fight poverty in Africa.

For the first annual event, physicians from across Canada, including cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, and Ottawa, signed-up to lend their support to building healthy communities in Africa, raising almost $66,000 for the cause. Overall, participants were extremely generous and donated an average of 85% of their World Health Day salaries to support CPAR's health and development projects in rural Africa.

The World Health Day Challenge has not only garnered the support of physicians, but a wide variety of health practitioners ranging from social workers, to nurses are also participating in the Challenge because they believe that the global community has a part to play in supporting health and development beyond the geographic boundaries of their communities - especially in rural Africa.

CPAR's World Health Day Challenge is partly inspired by the efforts of Dr. N. Kevin Wade, a Vancouver-based ophthalmologist who donated an entire day of his medical service payment plans to CPAR in September 2002 and again in September 2005.

"When I saw CPAR's work in Africa first-hand and experienced the health conditions in Blantyre, Malawi during a research project, I knew I wanted to contribute to the cause," says Dr. Wade.

"My responsibilities in Canada to my patients, staff and family would make working in Africa difficult, so I think that donating a day's office income is another way I can help out."

Long-time CPAR supporter and Toronto-based psychiatrist, Dr. Donald Payne is also taking up the cause and extending the Challenge to his colleagues.

"Personally, I think CPAR's World Health Day Challenge is an excellent and practical way for Canadian physicians to make a commitment to the developing world by 'Working a Day for World Development'," says, Dr. Payne.

CPAR's primary health care work focuses on reducing the burden of HIV & AIDS through community awareness programs, preventing the spread of common diseases by increasing access to clean water and sanitation facilities, promoting healthy pregnancies and educating communities about sexual and reproductive health issues.

CPAR works with local rural African communities to ensure access to clean water, adequate food, primary health care services and a safe and healthy environment.

Founded in 1984, CPAR works in partnership with vulnerable communities and diverse organizations to overcome poverty and build healthy communities in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda and Malawi.

Each year on April 7th, the world celebrates World Health Day. On this day around the globe, thousands of events mark the importance of health in leading a productive life.

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