THE HOSPITAL
What started over 30 years ago as a small dispensing pharmacy is today a year-round medical facility offering general medical, minor surgery, pediatric, obstetrical and dental services. The hospital consists of wards that can accommodate 72 patients. During the past several years we have maintained a staff of over 60 full-time employees, including 4 doctors, 12 nurses, and 3 or 4 nurse/nun instructors and a contingent of Guatemalan medical and dental students. The hospital treated over 10,000 patients last year. In addition, major surgery is provided by the volunteer U.S. surgical teams sent by the Hospital de la Familia Foundation in February, May, August and November for 2-week stays. These teams treat an additional 5,000 patients, performing surgery on 1,600 of them. Other hospital programs include the Malnutrition Therapy Clinic, the Dental Clinic, Nurse Training Classes, Barefoot Doctor Classes (teaching first aid and disease detection), Adult Education Classes, and Sewing Classes. We also operate a 1-6 grade school with an enrollment of about 150 where tuition, books, and uniforms are free. There is a separate program for adults.
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An article from the December 2003 Hospital de la Familia newsletter ~ Ultimas NOTICIAS
Our Backbone of Support ~ by Kim Mortyn
We Americans think nothing of taking off for a few days and exploring exciting places. But for the typical Guatemalan family, there has to be a very good reason for venturing out of familiar surroundings. The Ruiz family lives in a remote mountain village high up in the rain forest. Grandpa Ruiz has had cataracts in both eyes for several years, and is virtually blind. Their neighbor had talked to them about having been recipients of successful surgical procedures at the highly efficient medical facility known as Hospital de la Familia in Nuevo Progreso. The family discussed Grandpa's problem and decided that the time had come for Grandpa to make the 3- or 4-day journey on foot to the hospital. So, Grandpa and his entire family hiked on the trail supporting each other throughout the arduous journey to Nuevo Progreso. Once there, Grandpa was diagnosed and treated by the local Guatemalan physicians before setting up the surgery appointment for cataract removal by the next visiting U.S. medical team.
U.S. medical teams spend a total of eight weeks annually in Nuevo Progreso. But it is the local Guatemalan medical staff that is the key to Hospital de la Familia and its ultimate success. Some patients come from as far away as Guatemala City, s distance of 170 miles. Roughly 200 patients are seen each week, but this number soars when the U.S. medical teams are present. About half of the patients come form Nuevo Progreso and the local doctors are supported by 16 nurses. Eight of these nurses work in the hospital, another 6 work in the children's nutrition center, and 2 in the clinic itself. These nurses are all graduates of the hospital's own nurses training and certification program.
Working almost nonstop from morning to night to keep all the equipment operating smoothly is Juventino "Tino" Vicente Gonzalez, a 23-year employee at the hospital. Tino is worth his weight in gold, making sure that the temperamental autoclave keeps operating efficiently, running errands, collecting supplies, locating merchandise, and making minor repairs on old equipment. Backing up Tino is Rafael, a 6-year employee who is always cheerful and eager to assist with any assigned task.
The local Guatemalan medical team is also supported by an accomplished kitchen staff that works on site preparing meals for patients, the medical personnel, the children in the nutrition center, and for some indigent school students. In addition, the hospital has an excellent housekeeping staff that handles laundry on a daily basis.
The hospital is by far the largest, and most successful, employer in the area that it serves. |