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A couple of hours after sunrise, the brigade packed up the vans, split into teams and left for the medical clinics at Las Canas and Astillero. There were already several patients waiting when we arrived. We went right to work, triaging and treating patients who showed up for both common complaints and emergent conditions. Today in addition to the help of FIMRC, we were excited to have the assistance of a local physician and local nurses; whose help was greatly appreciated.
The viral illness Chikungunya is extremely prevalent right now in the area of Nicaragua that we are stationed. Our team has treated several patients who are recovering from the illness and today one of our physicians was able to diagnose and treat a pediatric patient who was showing severe symptoms of the virus. Suffering from high fever and dehydration we were able to offer the patient supportive care and hopefully get him started on the way to making a full recovery.
Another patient who presented for routine gynecological testing felt trusting enough of her provider to open up and disclose that she is the victim of domestic violence. Fortunately, our team is blessed with the services of a Family Therapist, Martis Martinez, who was able to offer a counseling session and a referral to a therapist in a nearby town.
Dr. Adrian Martinez offered classes for a local EMT, the Nicaraguan Surf Team and 8-10 children who were on a field trip from Rancho Santana. The topics for education today were caring for patients with envenomations, drownings, CPR and splinting. Dr. Ashoka Asundi traveled to Soloman Ibarra School where he was able to instruct the local teachers of both primary and secondary schools. His teaching was centered on adult and pediatric CPR, and also how to care for students suffering from seizures.
By the end of our shifts, we had seen 297 patients; 35 teeth cleanings were completed today by the hygienist, including seeing 6 children who received sealants to protect their virgin teeth from getting cavities. PAP smears were performed, diabetic testing, pregnancy visits, as well as free prescription refills, were among the services that we were able to offer the patients of this area.
Today was extremely busy and wonderful. So many patients received desperately needed medical care. In our debriefing session at the end of the day, our team therapist was able to offer superb words of wisdom by reading us a quote:
"It is one of the beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Today was only our second day of caring for patients and yet our team has found words that were written over 200 years ago to still ring true.
Another patient who presented for routine gynecological testing felt trusting enough of her provider to open up and disclose that she is the victim of domestic violence. Fortunately, our team is blessed with the services of a Family Therapist, Martis Martinez, who was able to offer a counseling session and a referral to a therapist in a nearby town.
Dr. Adrian Martinez offered classes for a local EMT, the Nicaraguan Surf Team and 8-10 children who were on a field trip from Rancho Santana. The topics for education today were caring for patients with envenomations, drownings, CPR and splinting. Dr. Ashoka Asundi traveled to Soloman Ibarra School where he was able to instruct the local teachers of both primary and secondary schools. His teaching was centered on adult and pediatric CPR, and also how to care for students suffering from seizures.
By the end of our shifts, we had seen 297 patients; 35 teeth cleanings were completed today by the hygienist, including seeing 6 children who received sealants to protect their virgin teeth from getting cavities. PAP smears were performed, diabetic testing, pregnancy visits, as well as free prescription refills, were among the services that we were able to offer the patients of this area.
Today was extremely busy and wonderful. So many patients received desperately needed medical care. In our debriefing session at the end of the day, our team therapist was able to offer superb words of wisdom by reading us a quote:
"It is one of the beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Today was only our second day of caring for patients and yet our team has found words that were written over 200 years ago to still ring true.
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