The Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA ) is formed by like-minded compassionate medical professionals from around the world who volunteer their expertise and time to provide quality medical services at home and abroad to vulnerable populations affected by disaster and poverty. The mission of TIMA volunteers is to provide medical services in an effective, respectful, and compassionate manner.
TIMA regularly collaborates with community and global organizations to hold outreach events wherever there is a pressing need.
TIMA is a global network of licensed doctors, nurses, medical technicians, and pharmacists who volunteer with Tzu Chi. As of 2022, there are 14,090 medical and non-medical TIMA members in 25 countries and regions around the world. In their countries of residence, they routinely conduct medical outreaches and make home visits to serve those in need of medical attention. In times of disaster, war, or crisis, they’ll come together to provide medical relief to those affected.
They always give their utmost care and attention to the poor and the sick, providing the medical care they need, including surgery. During disasters, TIMA volunteers cooperate with Tzu Chi’s relief team by going to disaster areas to help treat the sick and wounded. As of 2022, TIMA members have provided free medical services to over 3.7 million people in 58 countries and regions around the world.
Tzu Chi was founded in 1966 with a focus on charity work, and through the experience of helping the needy and the sick, Master Cheng Yen realized that poverty was often a result of illness. In 1972, with the support of volunteer doctors and medical professionals from local hospitals, Tzu Chi started biweekly free medical clinics for the poor in the nearby area. The doctors even went on regular home visits to remote areas lacking in medical services.
To fulfill Tzu Chi’s mission of medicine to reach more needy people, a group of medical professionals from different hospitals stepped forward. In 1996, they established the “Tzu Chi Medical Association” with the aim of “Curing Sickness, Healing People, and Healing Hearts”. In 1998, it was expanded to “Tzu Chi International Medical Association” or TIMA. This became an organization for compassionate medical professionals who wanted to give back to society and reach out to every corner where help was needed.
TIMA is unique in that not only are the volunteers well-trained medical professionals, but they also understand well the aim and scope of the project. Members from all over the world serve as volunteers. No matter their nationality or beliefs, they offer their services wherever they live. If a disaster occurs elsewhere, volunteers from countries near and far will join to give help and support.
TIMA’s vision is to motivate the great healers (doctors), and angels in white (nurses) to work sincerely for people and remember their pain and sickness. They will always put the welfare of the sick first by personally understanding their pain and suffering so that they can heal both the mind and the body. They are setting a new level of moral principles for medical professionals around the world.
Sign up to learn more about how you can become a volunteer:
