Access to medicines is limited for the poor of the San Francisco de la Paz area. As in other countries, many Hondurans need to treat hypertension, diabetes, asthma, infections and other acute and chronic conditions. Since 2009, Project Eden/Adelante has provided organizational and ground support to groups from the U.S. seeking to provide free medical care, screenings, medicines and medical/dental/vision care supplies to the poor of the region. Teams have provided care to people in numerous villages, often caring for 800 – 900+ Hondurans during week-long visits. This work is typically done working with local doctors and nurses. Project Eden/Adelante has served a crucial role in coordinating these collaborative events.
St. Rose of Lima Medical Mission, February 2020:
We have had another successful medical mission to Honduras – the 10th that St. Rose of Lima parish has made possible. We packed and carried 20 fifty pound suitcases full of medications and supplies and purchased medication and mosquito nets in Honduras as well. We traveled on Monday, February 17th, spent Tuesday setting up the medications, held clinics in small villages on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; attended mass on Sunday morning then held another clinic on Sunday afternoon.
This is what was accomplished by our team of 12, working in collaboration with our Honduran friends and colleagues:
2214 donated toothbrushes and hundreds of pounds of insect repellent (donated by Tender Corp) were distributed directly to poor families
870 people were treated for a variety of health problems
244 people were fitted for reading glasses and 8 for prescription glasses
125 sunglasses were given to people with evidence of sun-related eye disease
232 were screened for diabetes and 31 tests for urinary tract infection and pregnancy performed
25 pregnant women were given a full supply of prenatal vitamins, a mosquito net and insect repellent to protect the unborn from Zika and other mosquito borne diseases.
Over 12,000 adult vitamins, 12,000 children’s vitamins and 55 bottles of infant vitamins were distributed to the people that came for care.
Health education was provided on a variety of topics, including dental care, nutrition, hydration, not smoking, pregnancy care and handwashing.
A fund was established to provide physical therapy for a 3 year old girl with microcephaly due to Zika.
We treated diabetes, high blood pressure, infections, GERD, gastritis, headaches, back pain and much more. We treated hundreds for parasites and encouraged people to drink purified water.
Before we left, we divided all remaining medications into two donations to two local clinics that serve the poor, one run by the Catholic diocese and the other by the Honduran government. Those medications will be given to people unable to buy medications when they are needed.
A total of $8373.67 was spent on medications and supplies in the US and Honduras.
God used you and us to share His love with his beloved poor in Honduras last week. And it was deeply appreciated.
Thank you for your prayers and for so generously supporting the missions to Honduras.
