Since 1934, LIGA International, a philanthropic volunteer organization, has been providing medical, dental and eye care to impoverished people in rural Mexico. LIGA, meaning 'league' in Spanish has a unique and wonderful history. The idea was conceived by Dr. Iner Sheld Ritchie of Loma Linda, California, while passing through the state of Sonora on the train to Mexico City to treat then President Abelardo Rodriguez in the 1930's. Being a physician, he noted the urgent need for medical care for the Yaqui Indians. So he discussed this problem with President Rodriguez, and he in turn agreed to give assistance.

The following year Dr. Ritchie spent his vacation in Sonora and traveled by horseback to get to the Yaquis. Gradually, his colleagues in the medical field joined him on those expeditions and thus LIGA was borne. From that humble beginning LIGA has grown to a roster of almost 2,000 physicians, dentists, nurses, optometrists, audiologists, pharmacists, chiropractors, pilots, assistants, technicians, and others.

After World War II the small aircraft industry advanced rapidly and there was an ever-growing number of pilots. Many doctors had trained as pilots during the war. LIGA doctors began flying to remote areas in the states of Sonora, Sinaloa, and Baja California to treat the sick and suffering. It now became possible to do in a weekend what it took Dr. Ritchie three months to accomplish on horseback. At this time, LIGA became known as the 'Flying Doctors of Mercy'.

LIGA's history includes an active participation in educational efforts in Mexico. LIGA helped to establish several self-supporting medical, agricultural, and industrial schools. The largest of these, Colegio del Pacifico, is located near Navojoa in Sonora. This school is situated on 700 acres of rich land and has accommodations for 300 students. In addition to a broad basic education, the goal of these schools is to train young people in a vocation and encourage them to return to isolated places where their talents and training are needed.

One of Mexico's major universities, the Universidad de Montemorelos, has benefited from its inception from LIGA's involvement. LIGA was instrumental in helping to establish the School of Medicine, School of Nutrition, School of Dental Technology and the Dental Residency Program. One of the students from the first graduating class from the medical School went on to become a member of LIGA's Board of Directors in 1982. The philosophy of LIGA has now come to embrace the whole spectrum of human influence with emphasis on the medical, dental, optical, nutritional, and health educational needs of the very poor. LIGA now operates four medical clinics located in El Fuerte, Ocoroni, San Blas and El Carrizo in the state of Sinaloa.

The first Friday of each month ( October through June) 12-15 privately owned airplanes, carrying four to six passengers each, deliver volunteers and supplies to remote LIGA clinics. There, hundreds of needy people are given medical, dental, and eye care that they would not get otherwise. Many people are treated, both children and adults. For example, plastic surgeons repair cleft lips, cleft palates, remove tumors and skin cancers, and repair burn scars. General surgeons perform hernia operations. Podiatrists straighten club feet so children can walk. Long neglected teeth are filled when possible, but sadly, most must be extracted. Ophthalmologists remove scores of cataracts. Glasses are fitted. Sight is restored to the blind and much misery is alleviated.

LIGA works closely with the local Mexican community. Many local Mexicans also volunteer at the clinics and provide valuable assistance as interpreters and help in coordinating and maintaining the clinics. Some local physicians also volunteer their services to see patients at our clinics.

Closer to home, LIGA provides an opportunity for American medical students, interns and residents to greatly enhance their medical educational experience by visiting the interior of Mexico and being exposed to people who have never had medical attention and see deformities and medical conditions that they might not see at home. These doctors are given the opportunity to work with and assist the physician in charge in treating these patients.

At times, when necessary surgery cannot be performed at LIGA clinics in Mexico, patients are transported by LIGA planes to hospitals in California and other areas to treat more serious cases. Last summer three-year-old Carlos Dyan Hernandez was brought to Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda, California, for surgery. This little boy was born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a serious heart defect. Without surgery, children born with this defect usually die between the ages of three and seven. Dr. Leonard Bailey and his cardiology team at Loma Linda successfully performed the needed operation. The boy and his family returned to Mexico where he is leading a normal life for a now four-year-old.

In 1990, LIGA received the prestigious George Washington Medal of Honor for excellence in Programs and Activities presented by the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, for LIGA's humanitarian work in Mexico. In 1991, LIGA was presented with the esteemed Aerospace Laureate award by Aviation Week & Space Technology for operations in flying light aircraft to provide desperately needed health care to impoverished rural people.

We are proud of LIGA's history and growth since the 1930's. We invite all persons with an altruistic spirit toward those in need to get involved with the Flying Doctors of Mercy.