Remote Area Medical (RAM), a traveling clinic that offers free healthcare was in Oakland, California from April 9 – 12. Here’s a tour.
When Stan Brock started RAM in a remote area of the Amazon Basin, he never thought his services would be needed in the United States, the wealthiest country in the world. In 1985, he was asked to bring the clinic to Knoxville, Tennessee. He was shocked by what he saw.
“People were in desperate need of the most basic care. It didn’t occur to me when I first came to this country, but it wasn’t long before I could see there are similarities between people who don’t have access to healthcare in a place like the Amazon and people who have access but can’t afford it in America, and they’re all in the same boat.”
In 1985, RAM was formed in the United States. Since then, they’ve done 640 expeditions.
When RAM comes to town, the lines begin forming at midnight. Over 90 percent of the patients need basic dental and vision care.
To support RAM, volunteer, or find out if they’re coming to your area, visit: http://www.ramusa.org/