December 2019
The primary purpose of this trip was medical, focusing on extending the work of the Zondervan and Krasnoff grants. We also reviewed clinic administration, pharmacy and point of care testing issues. Highlights included:
1. General Medical Clinic: Sue introduced a new “SOAP” note to trial in the clinic. She also had a clinic stamp made for external communications and prescriptions. We enhanced our point of care testing by supplying needed glucometer strips. The team taught Nolvia how to use urine dip sticks and provided several boxes. We also supplied a new Hemocue testing machine which Nolvia mastered easily and used with several patients while we were visiting. Sue and Jinny reviewed medical and dental clinic finances in detail with Nelson. We noted that there are often shortages of critical pharmaceutical items and discussed this with Nelson and Nolvia. The next ACTS team will help to create a formulary with special attention to "critical medications". Nolvia and Nelson are both in agreement with keeping a baseline supply of these meds at all times.
2. Zondervan grant: This grant has focused on primary screening of vision, hearing, medical and dental health for pediatric patients ages 0 - 5. This year we extended the screening to two new communities. At our first jornada, we screened 36 children from Los Planes. Multiple children were identified with significant developmental and medical concerns. Home visits were made to follow-up and develop plans of care for many of these children on the day following the jornada. Our second jornada screened 57 children in the community of El Chiquite. A highlight of both jornadas was the very valuable support of Fuerza volunteers.
3. TCOM (Krasnoff grant): We extended the work of our "Taking Care of Moms" project with multiple sessions in the Education Center at El Rosario. Dr. Barbara Homeier presented an excellent, interactive session on infant development with Dra. Reyes translating. Several participants asked great questions. A healthy meal was served to the women and children, including roasted chicken and a large amount of lightly cooked vegetables which were consumed by all. We also presented a nutrition session. Dr. Jinny Brack and Sarahi Reyes discussed basic nutrition advice on feeding for young children (0 – 2 years), utilizing two global health media videos. Sue Hanlon and Dr. Ann Bracken demonstrated a health recipe (“frittata with vegetables”) to the audience. This meal was then prepared for the group by the cooks and shared by all.
