Clinic Info and Needs

[Rick Watson]

Send by Dr. Kay Taylor

Dear Tom,

I just talked with Bill this morning, and was delighted to hear that the Ciriboya clinic will receive its government approval soon.

As you know, it will need a lot of equipment and supplies, as will Tocomachu. I hear you’re sending 18 hospital mattresses-great!

Billl said you could also get some supplies for doing GYN exams for the clinic (gov’t run but seldom supplied) in Cusuno, near

Ciriboya. They can do PAP screening and get them paid for, then we can see the abnormals for treatment when we next go down.

What they need is: PAP sticks (I left 4 large boxes in La Ceiba for Suyla, 2 could go out there with the next team);

Cytobrushes

PAP fixative spray

Exam Gloves

Glass slides

I left enough for about 50 exams with them when we left. Luther knows the Head Nurse who will take them.



I’ve been researching various options for medical equipment, supplies and drugs, and have several sites you might be interested in.

First, there’s a group called MEDSHARE, www.medshare.org, who get outdated and replaced, used equipment and medical supplies from hospitals all over the US, and will either put together a Medical Team Donation carry-on pack, or arrange larger shipments up to a full container; the recipient organization is only responsible for shipping costs (partially). They have a huge inventory, which changes regularly. I’m also writing to Luther about this. We could make up a joint list and have it all sent, or put it in our next container. They operate out of Atlanta, GA.

There’s 2 pharmaceutical groups from whom we can get drugs and supplies to carry on with teams; each can apply, multiplying our ability to bring in stuff. Direct Relief International, www.directrelief.org, will send one box per year with a provider, mostly antibiotics. We are applying for the May 2006 trip, and can list Ciriboya as our site, so your teams could list La Ceiba and Limon.

The other medicines supply group is MAP International. They have a carryon box specific to the country with antibiotics, analgesics, anti-

Parasitics,etc; see their website, www.map.org. We can take a box with each team.



We had selected the date for our Spring trip from the list you had published; I didn’t realize those weren’t your team’s dates! Let me know if there’s a better time when we could be there together; we’re still flexible at the moment, but already have Feb, Mar, and April trip plans, and need to let organizations know by January.



I’m attaching my Honduras Thoughts and Lessons musings, if you’d like to read them.



Yours,

Kay

[Rick Watson]

Another note from Kay Taylor
Dear Tom,

It was a terrific trip, and we’re sorting and finishing up this week. We hope to go back when you are going in May, probably going the week before to work in the La Ceiba area, and then to Limon, Ciriboya and Tocomachu. Did Bill tell you about Tocomachu—they were the first medical team there in 7 years! We’ll go in May, when we can safely get our equipment in on the roads. I’m also going out to some villages near La Ceiba, where it’s hard for women to come into the city for care; Zoila is setting up the high-risk women for me to see. We’re going on to Nicaragua after Honduras.



I noticed the Limon clinic is getting low on some diabetes meds, though there’s plenty of different ones. Some of the antibiotics and antihypertensives were low also. I don’t know if they have an inventory system that they could check. That would be a really good thing to set up there! Zoila also needs some things in La Ceiba. I’ll get a list from her.



There are a number of HIV patients in Limon; Gloria indicated about 40. I only saw 3 HIV+ women, but Gloria is going to try to get the rest there in May. Your tip about bringing vitamins was particularly appropriate for these people. Condoms and female condoms are also needed.



If there is a pediatrician going, there’s a little boy, 8 years old, in La Ceiba I’d like to have seen. He has an enlarged liver, elevated LFT’s, but a normal stool test and abdominal ultrasound. His name is Gustavo Ruiz, and he’s Patty Urbino’s neighbor (the interpreter/ med. assistant).



I’ll send you some pics, we’re getting that organized, plus our statistics etc. Looking forward to working together in May!



Love, Kay Taylor