[20th anniversary of Association Doctors of Hope. Experience resulting from the cooperation with Polish medical communities in the Polish Borderlands (Kresy)].

20th Anniversary of Association Doctors of Hope (ADH) is an opportunity for presentation of the conclusions resulting from the realization of our tasks, especially those related to the Polish medical communities in the Borderlands. Maintaining the contacts with the Polish minorities in Lithuania, Latria, Byelorussia, Ukraine, Romania, Moldavia and Georgia are the priority tasks of ADH. Those communities differ in the extent of their needs and the relations with the local authorities in the context of the aid provided by our Association and the cooperation with us. The programme of our medical missions in the Borderlands included: a) rendering immediate aid by supplying medicines, medical materials; b) physical examination of groups of Poles (including the youths); c) organizing joint medical and pedagogical conferences concerning heath problems and healthy lifestyle. The article refers to the need for coordination of the cooperation among Polish organizations, the organizations in the Borderlands and consulates, in order to facilitate studying of the Poles in Poland, as well as to arrange for specialization residencies in Poland for doctor of Polish descent. Perfecting of the professional qualifications is a vital factor in strengthening the respect for the Polish communities, which, as minorities, are continuously expose to breaking the law by the local authorities.