We support Dr. A. Rosenthal who is Building a Health Clinic for the People of Kibera, Kenia.

Dr. Alan B Rosenthal, an Assistant Clinical Professor at New York University and Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor at New York Medical College and Touro College of Dental Medicine, has a remarkable background in medical missions. With a passion for serving vulnerable populations, Dr. Rosenthal has participated in 17 missions to various locations, including Haiti, the Amazonian rainforest in Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Alaskan villages along the Bearing Sea, Israel, and most recently, Kenya.

One of his notable missions was in Haiti, where Dr. Rosenthal and his team embarked on building a prototype primary healthcare clinic (PHC) with telemedicine technology in the City of Duchity. This initiative was in response to the Cholera epidemic that followed an earthquake, leaving thousands of indigenous men, women, and children without access to healthcare. The clinic, which has now treated over 70,000 patients, aims to establish sustainable healthcare solutions in vulnerable and underserved populations.

During his recent trip to Kibera, Kenya, the second largest slum in the world, Dr. Rosenthal treated over 250 patients in a span of ten days. His team saved the lives of several children facing oral infections that were progressing towards sepsis. They also addressed a wide range of medical issues, including dog bites, burns, fungal infections, parasitic GI infections, hypertension, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases.

In addition to providing medical care, Dr. Rosenthal has fostered relationships within the Kibera healthcare community. He has engaged with Kenyan Medical, Dental, Nursing Schools (KMTC), government health officials, and even met with the President of KMTC, Dr. Kelly Oluoch. Together with KMTC, Dr. Rosenthal plans to establish the first medical/dental telemedicine clinic for the 1.5 million people in Kibera. He has also offered to credit the Minister of Health of Kenya for the initiative, aiming to address concerns regarding healthcare access for the poor and remote communities in Kenya.

Furthermore, Dr. Rosenthal's collaboration with KMTC extends beyond telemedicine. He has submitted a curriculum for a Telemedicine Assistant Program, which he successfully taught to indigenous populations in Haiti. KMTC has expressed interest in incorporating this program and developing a Department of Telemedicine. Additionally, there are plans for joint ventures with New York Medical College and Touro College of Dental Medicine to establish elective rotations for students interested in African medicine.

Looking forward, Dr. Rosenthal envisions a more developed primary healthcare center in the heart of Kibera. This center would include facilities for dental care, maternity health, basic radiology, emergency services, and minor surgical care. However, funding remains a challenge in turning this vision into reality. Driven by a strong sense of purpose, Dr. Rosenthal and his team actively embrace their ethical responsibility, aiming to create a positive impact and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.