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Surgical Teams |
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SAINT MARTIN DE PORRES HOSPITAL
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The Problem |
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2.7 million people in Nicaragua have very little or no
access to medicine and doctors.
There are only 32 public hospitals in the entire country
of Nicaragua and
one doctor for every 2500 people.
Many Nicaraguans in rural communities have never been
treated by a doctor and suffer with easily treatable
maladies. |
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OUR Approach |
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Several medical teams travel to St. Martin de Porres
Hospital in Chinandega each year to perform surgical and
aftercare at
no cost to poor families.
Patients are prescreened and scheduled for procedures by
American doctors and their Nicaraguan counterparts. We
must keep the hospital well maintained with equipment,
surgical supplies and personnel. |
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Why |
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Unfortunately, there are not enough
clinics, surgeons, doctors, nurses and medicines in rural
Nicaragua. As surgeons and healthcare professionals, we can
provide an otherwise not available service, and at the same
time,
train our Nicaraguan counterparts. |
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The Plan |
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We plan to provide
5 surgical teams in 2008
for one or two week missions at St. Martin de Porres Hospital.
These teams include doctors, nurses, technicians,
anesthesiologists and translators. We will handle the
logistical aspects of the trips and house the medical teams. |
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Experience |
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Since St. Martin de Porres Hospital opened in August
2003, we have been able to provide the resources for
over 500 life-changing surgeries
for poor Nicaraguans. Over 2,000 have received clinical
consultations. We have developed a working partnership
with the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health and have trained
our Nicaraguan counterparts in new techniques. The
surgical brigade members often give up vacation time to
serve in Nicaragua and volunteer thousands of dollars
worth of free services. |
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