About Slum Doctor Programme

 

Tim Costello, Slum Doctor Programme Founder, has been a dedicated AIDS activist and hospice worker since 1987. In addition to being an original member of the first AIDS activist organization in the U.S., ACTUP/NY, Tim devoted his time, energy and vision to the Sean Humphrey House and Evergreen AIDS Foundation, local Bellingham organizations that provide care to HIV/AIDS patients and HIV/AIDS education to the community.
 
In 2000, Tim received a full scholarship to the International AIDS Conference in South Africa, where he met the true heroes of the AIDS movement----- ordinary people from the developing world taking extraordinary measures to save the lives of their families and friends.

Upon returning to Bellingham, Tim founded the Slum Doctor Programme in memory of the AIDS activists whom, had they lived, would have fought for medicine, education and dignity for all people living with HIV/AIDS in the world; and for the unsung heroes across the globe who are trying to improve the lives of their fellow country men, women, and children impacted by HIV/AIDS.

In 2007, Tim received a Human Rights Award from our local Whatcom Human Rights Task Force.


Slum Doctor Programme began in 2000 by shipping donated antiretroviral medications and medical supplies to Dr. Obwogo Subiri, Tim’s new friend from the International AIDS Conference, to be distributed to patients from the slums of Nairobi. Our organization’s name represents the origins of our efforts and was given to us by Dr. Subiri.

In 2003, our efforts in treating a handful of AIDS patients gained the attention of a University of Washington research group and the Coptic Hospital in Nairobi. They solicited the support of SDP to begin treating the many dying patients who were coming to them for care. At the time, there was no affordable access to AIDS medications in Sub Saharan Africa. Their compassion and dedication toward bringing free HIV/AIDS care to Kenya resulted in what is now the Hope Center for Infectious Diseases the largest free HIV/AIDS clinic in Kenya, providing care for over 9,000 patients annually. 

In additon to the partnership with the Hope Center, Slum Doctor Programme partners with other local organizations that focus on the social consequences of the AIDS epidemic: food security, care for orphans and vulnerable children, education and income generation.

Slum Doctor Programme believes that a respectful and reciprocal relationship with our African partners is key to successful community development and social change. We work closely with our partners sharing our strengths, our joys and our sorrows. 

Staff

Paul Barkley, Executive Director

2010 Board of Directors

President: Sam Woodcock
Pete Beglin, MD
Takele Seda, PhD
Robert Riestra

Advisory Board

Loyce Mbewa, MPA
Loyce founded the Rabuor Village Project near Kisumu, Kenya, and serves as the organization's president. The Rabuor Village Project works to create sustainable community development programs in Loyce’s home village and the surrounding area. Loyce’s vision is to combat HIV/AIDS and the resulting hardships through community-based solutions driven by the ingenuity and strength of local people, She is a Truman Scholar and an advisory board member of the University of Washington’s Global Health Resource Center, and has spoken at dozens of meetings and events in the US and abroad on the effects of HIV/AIDS in African communities and community-based responses to HIV/AIDS. Loyce's relentless hope and commitment have vastly improved the lives of Rabuor's residents, and it is her hope to replicate the success of these efforts in other similar communities in the future.

Michael Chung, MD, MPH
A University of Washington Faculty in Infectious Diseases, Michael is currently the director of the Hope Center for Infectious Diseases in Nairobi. Dr. Chung has worked in developing countries for over 10 years, including treating Rwandan refugees in the camps in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He has received numerous awards including awards from the Rockefeller Foundation, National Institutes of Health and PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief).

Dr. Obwogo Subiri, MPH, MD
Dr. Subiri is an author and doctor in Kenya. Dr. Subiri is currently the country director for HIV/AIDS programs for Catholic Relief Services, and is running for Parliament. Dr. Subiri was the original inspiration for Slum Doctor Programme and suggested our organization’s name.