Las Carreras/Sosa

  Today was our first clinic held at a small school house in a barrio called Las Carreras/Sosa, which was approx. 30 mins from the guesthouse.  We piled our supplies into the buses and trailers, and along with our translators, doctors, and pastor we arrived safely! We did pass a parade of citizens cheering for the man who won their presidential election because that meant the current president was not in office for a consecutive term.    Because of the election, today was considered a holiday.  The school house did not have students in school,   and instead opened their doors to us.  It was obvious we were further from a main city and the even greater lack of resources that were present.
   The school house was a one room building with a small basketball court to one side, an outhouse, and an open kitchen-type nook area all in a fenced in area.  We had an intake station where citizens of the barrios gave their basic info: name, age, known allergies and medications, and what their chief complaint was.  They moved on to the next station where weights and vital signs were taken.  We had two physicians that saw each patient, diagnosed, and prescribed medications if needed.  Many of the diagnosis consisted of parasites, fungal infections, bacterial infections, vitamin deficiencies, pain to generalized areas, gastritis, high blood pressure, etc.  We were told for some of the patients, today would be their only chance to see a doctor for at least a year.  After seeing one of the doctors, the patients came and waited at the set-up pharmacy to get their prescribed medications filled. The most common medications that were prescribed were vitamins and an anti-parasite tablet.  One of us licensed nurses have to be in the pharmacy at all times.  Today happened to be my day to work in the pharmacy!  It was busy and an organized chaos at times, but eventually everyone got what they needed!  The translators became your best friend!  Education on each medication prescribed and reviewing instructions on how to take the medication and why was huge for this population.  It was a perfect time to individually preach some of our health promotion too.  It was extremely interesting to see the prescribed medications when compared to the way things are prescribed in America.  There were some patients who came strictly for a headache that occurred last week but they wanted Tylenol anyway.  If there weren't any current complaints then the patients really didn't see the doctor, however, that patient's headache from last week suddenly returned.  But hey, we have a whole other type of drug seeking behavior back in America!  We passed out tooth brushes and toothpaste to each patient and any children.  While not in line waiting to be seen or at the pharmacy the barrio children got to enjoy our company by playing with bubbles, balls, and many of the toys we brought along.  Occasionally there were patients who appeared to impatient with any type of wait but for the most part the citizens are extremely appreciative of your presence alone, not to mention assisting to relieve their complaints at that time.  Some of today's barrio clinic...  
Just set up the make shift pharmacy along these counter tops, table, and surrounding suitcases.                  

Intake...with the bathroom and all in the background :)

 The one room school house they allowed us to use with stations awaiting to be seen by the physician....

Extra time during our lunch break to play volleyball with some of the locals! These kids were extremely coordinated for their age... Which is one thing I can fluently ask: Quantos anos tienes?

Our favorite translators...

 
   We had a successful first barrio day!  We returned to the guesthouse for dinner and a few local venders came offering paintings, jewelry, & baskets.  After dinner we had some time to shop and then some of us went and played a game of softball at a university located within the San Juan against some of the locals.  The Dominican's take their softball serious!! We had intermixed teams and really didn't even keep score but it was still fun and dirty!  

Another barrio clinic planned for tomorrow while the engineer group works with teaching their teacher workshops!  There is so much going on and things you see really are almost impossible to describe! (and i am not spell checking so pardon my mistypes!)

With love...