MMB will celebrate 75 years of international service and medical assistance in November

Catholic Medical Mission Board ( CMMB ), a leading U.S. - based Catholic - sponsored philanthropic organization that focuses exclusively on providing healthcare to people in need worldwide, will celebrate its 75 year of service from 15 to 17 November, 2003. Edward Cardinal Egan of New York will preside over the Inaugural Jubilee Mass on November 17. later during the day, CMMB and the Global Health Council will present a special forum, " Faith in the Future ", which will focus on the role of faith based organizations in the fight against HIV / AIDS.

in 1913, Dr. Paluel Flagg, a young anesthesiologist at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York, visited Haiti and was struck by the plight of leprosy victims there. He become an active spokesperson for needy people around the world, recruiting missionaries for medical work in developing countries. Later, in 1928 Dr. Flagg inspired others to make the same commitment, and Catholic Medical Mission Board was formally established.

A Catholic leader in international healthcare , CMMB has provided medicines and supplies to more than 100 countries around the world since 1928. More recently, its work has grown to include integrated healthcare programs, recruitment and placement of medical volunteers, training of local health practitioners, and emergency relief.

In collaboration with CMMB the catholic healthcare network in India is panning for a concerted action against HIV / AIDS. ( For more details: www.cmmb.org )