Strangely, it's where I end up taking the least amount of photos but it is usually where the most people are seen. This year we saw a total of 1,394 people in "Medical". They came with all sorts of complaints and conditions.
They come with headaches, stomachaches, ear infections, chronic pain, digestion problems, yeast infections, rashes, allergies ...
Our new nurses usually go through a bit of shock and amazement at first as they quickly realize that the burden of diagnosing and prescribing indeed falls upon them.
Unlike in the USA where that role would have to be that of a Nurse Practitioner, in Honduras, RN's may diagnose and prescribe under the license of a Honduran doctor. Dr. Emma was with us on Brigade - unfortunately, I did not take a photo of her.
Another interesting tidbit is that in Honduras one does not have to have a "prescription" written by a physician to obtain a prescription-strength medication as we are required in the United States. We learned that some team members who are on maintenance medications have actually purchased large quantities of their meds in Honduras because they cost so much less when you compare the US Dollar to the Honduran Lempira.
All of the medications for "Brigade" are brought in trunks - there are a total of ten. Each trunk has about eight (8) quadrants for the various medications that are in that trunk.
Trunk #1 is for vitamins. There are liquid vitamins for children less than two years old. Children's chewable vitamins are for children 2 - 11 years old. Twelve-year-olds and above receive adult multi-vitamins, unless the recipient is a female age 18 through about 45 ... for those females we give prenatal vitamins. Every person who goes through "Medical" will receive vitamins and anti-parasite medication. We also give out calcium, iron, and C and E vitamins, if necessary.
Trunk #2 was for pain-relievers, both for children and adults.
Trunks #3 & #4 were for anti-biotics, separated for children and adults.
Trunk #5 had various blood-pressure medications, such as Enalapril, as well as blood-glucose lowering medications like Glyburide.
Trunk #6 contained respiratory medications such as Loratadine, Benadryl, Nasal Decongestant and Saline Sprays, Inhalers, Cough/Cold liquids and tablets for both children and adults.
Trunk #7 held many of the various ointments like Triple Antibiotic ointment, Anti-Fungal, Anti-Itch, Hydrocortisone, Diaper Rash ointment.
Trunk #8 had things for digestion problems such as antacid tablets, hydration salts, fiber powder, and Ranitidine (which is the same thing that is in Zantac).
Trunk #9 had miscellaneous odds and ends.
**Your support, donations and contributions REALLY helped make a difference in the lives of these people who came for the greatly needed remedies that our Brigade was able to provide!! Thank-you! Thank-you! Thank-you!***
I worked in Pharmacy on Monday and then floated there on and off during the week. I REALLY LIKE working in Pharmacy (If only I had known this 20 years ago)!! Pictured with me below is Ana and Alberto ~ they work for World Gospel Outreach and they oversee the Pharmacy area.
When it got really hot and sticky (as it certainly did), we could take a little break and attempt to cool off in front of the very small fan.
Two of us would be assigned to the Pharmacy area at a time.
One of the BEST things about being in Pharmacy (I mean, aside from providing greatly needed medications and remedies to the people who need them) is the "little people"!!! Being in Pharmacy provides a great avenue for meeting, playing with, and cuddling the children!!
Oh, aren't they just precious!!!
This little brother and sister kept me busy for quite a while!!!
They were so FUN!!
They were one of the few children who had a male parent with them. Active fathers are scarcely found in Honduras so I was very impressed with him and I praised him for for his gentleness and attentiveness (as I had viewed throughout the day) while their mother was being seen.
Yep, all of us in "Pharmacy" had to get in on cuddling this 'cutie-patutie'!!!
I apologize for not getting more photos and information about the goings-on in Medical but hopefully you get a bit of an idea about how things worked.
Next, I'll post about dental ... another one of my favorites!!!
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