The advance team spent two days preparing for the arrival of the team of 26 Medical Missions Volunteers' arrival to San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala. With the help of Dr. Ariel Morales, we have researched some of the issues that plague the people of Guatemala. We have had the opportunity to investigate some of the existing programming in the region and have been pleased to see that there are many community leaders that share a common vision of improving social conditions for their own country. It will be interesting to see how Medical Missions Foundation can plug into these programs to support their efforts.
There is a sense of renewed hope in Guatemala since the elections in November 2011 and the new government taking control in January of 2012 under the leadership of Otto Perez. This hope can be felt throughout communities and will be invigorating for the team to feel as they contribute to helping in the Lake Atitlan region.
Our first day was spent setting up the operating rooms and running a clinic for the families of the hotel staff. At the hospital Kevin, a Bio Med professional, repaired one of the anesthesia machines. The ORs are ready to go and nineteen cases are scheduled for Monday. The local physician, Dr. Raphael Tun, gave us an update on one of the emergency cases treated last year. The case involved a young man who had cut his wrist with a machete, severing the tendons. The only movement he had with his hand was to barely move the thumb. Dr. Alley reconstructed the tendons, and Dr. Tun reported that the young man has full use of his hand!
At the clinic for the families of the hotel staff, as of 3:00, the staff had seen about 40 patients and expected to see another 15 or 20. Mission volunteer, Mary, said "Thank God for the local translators" who were helping the staff communicate with the patients.
The OR post op area has been beautifully decorated by someone at the hospital resembling a Fiesta!
Pictures will be posted as they are received.
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