A New Zealand-born doctor based in Bangladesh is visiting Wanganui, hoping to raise funds for health care in a remote part of the Asian country.
Edric Baker, originally from Wellington, has lived and worked in Bangladesh for more than 30 years. He is based in the village of Kailakuri, located 160km north of the capital, Dhaka.
Dr Baker has set up a health care centre in the village, which has a population of 1500.
The health care centre employs 90 staff and has in-patient, out-patient and outreach care.
Dr Baker said all but himself and a Japanese doctor were local people, who had little formal education but had been taught to perform medical care.
"Health care for the poor, by the poor - that's our guiding principle," Dr Baker said.
Diseases that are rarely seen in New Zealand, such as cholera, are commonplace in Kailakuri.
But Dr Baker said there were common themes in poor communities throughout the world.
"Health care for the poor in Bangladesh is probably the same as anywhere else, as there is a universal culture among the poor.
"We provide low-cost health care for the poor, and it has been very successful."
Conditions can be challenging at times, he said. Electricity is only available for part of the day - and never at the same time every day.
So what was it that drew Dr Baker to Bangladesh, and why does he now call the over-crowded, impoverished country home?
He went to Bangladesh because as a doctor "you go where the patients are".
"It is very rewarding work. It grips you, and you can't leave."
The entire cost to run the health care centre for a year is NZ$220,000, funded entirely by private donations. Dr Baker admits he sometimes lies awake at night worrying about money.
He is currently travelling through New Zealand fundraising for the Kailakuri project.
Wanganui people who wish to help can come along to Dr Baker's fundraising dinner and talk at the The Grand Hotel tonight.
The cost is $20 and tickets are available by calling 345 7723 or 342 1722.