A CHARITY is appealing for help to employ a medical student to work as a doctor in one of the poorest areas of Romania.

Convoy Aid Romania, based in Stockton, has taken medical and food supplies to the north-east Romanian village of Bivolari for a number of years, but hopes to expand its work.

The charity wants to set up a small medical centre, employing two British doctors and one nurse to help those people too poor to visit their hospitals.

Organiser Rod Jones said: "Poor people in the area of this village cannot see a doctor at the local hospital without taking with them an acceptable present.

"Many of the poor, and particularly the old, are so poor that they do not bother to go to the doctor. It is my experience that some people are even led to believe that their illnesses are far worse than they are so the doctor can extract as much as possible from them, promising Western cures and the use of Western equipment."

The charity already has some medical supplies, equipment and a building to set up an independent medical centre, but they are eager to recruit British doctors.

Mr Jones said: "We feel we can pursue young doctors leaving medical school to come and work for us on the basis of being well paid, and that our primary rule is the care of sick people regardless of ability to pay."

The charity needs £1,000 a month to pay for the project and Mr Jones has written to GPs in the region, asking for £1 a week sponsorship.

Anyone who would like to help can call (01642) 790810.