Day Uno

The group finally arrived today, exhausted and with kankles for days, but didn't let that stop them from jumping right in. A quick turn around and lunch at the house, and we were off. Some opted to go to the market, and you'll have to ask them how that was, and the rest of us were given a tour of the public hospital. After a decent amount of back and forth with the armed guard at the gate, we were let in where we met Jose, a med student with one year left of service clinics. He graciously showed us what the public system looks like, which is quite frankly the ideal way for everyone to be introduced to health care in Honduras. Knowing that this is the only option for most of the population, and unattainable for many in the areas we're headed to. Beginning with the emergency department, where people line the walls on old foam pads or steady themselves on the fan they brought from home, we saw how patients are filtered through. The impromptu form of triage includes not only patient need, but hospital availability. As one patients mother told me, because many arrive here seeking treatment, if the space isn't available, the sickest go home to die. This is the reality, and this is what the group is trying to help improve, by providing basic preventive care and education, as well as some of the medications that the people have no money to buy, and the hospitals have run out of. Continuing our tour, we were forced to one side of the hall as the other was lined with beds. Jose informed us that at its busiest, the halls are filled with beds, and that is the point when patients are turned away. Pediatric ER was an all inclusive emergency and intensive care unit, for prematurely born babies, to teenagers. We were allowed the chance to see pediatric oncology, a u it sponsored by St. Jude's, but still missing many of the amenities we take for granted. This includes housing for families, who sleep in plastic chairs at the child's bedside, to paper towels to dry your hands after washing. I firmly believe that while this reality may seem dire or beyond hope, it is not. It is actually heading in the right direction, and headed by passionate people who dedicate their lives to making their country a better place. After having seen the reality, the only advice I can offer to all the providers wondering where to even begin tomorrow, is with the first patient that sits in front of you. The rest will follow suit and you will be fine and a huge difference will be made in the lives of hundreds of citizens. I urge you to enjoy your time, take it all in, give all you can (you'll receive back tenfold) and don't forget to deet up. Hasta mañana and happy pill sorting!