1980 - Médecins du Monde was formed by 15 doctors who broke away from Médecins Sans Frontières when assisting the Boat People fleeing Vietnam via the South China Sea.

Choosing to go beyond the provision of healthcare, these doctors chose to "bear witness" to any obstacles to healthcare or human rights abuses they saw, creating an organisation to lobby for change. 

1980/1982 - Dr. Bernard Kouchner was Médecins du Monde's first President. In 2008 he was appointed as French Foreign Affaires Minister.

1998 - Médecins du Monde UK is created, a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. We contribute to the work of Médecins du Monde worldwide.

2006 - Project: London, an advocacy project, is established to provide information, advice and practical assistance to vulnerable people to help them access the NHS and other services.

2010 - Médecins du Monde UK is renamed Doctors of the World UK (DOW UK).