Dental Clinics
The H2H-T dental teams provided dental services at San Juan Puebla (about 50 minutes from Tela) and Puerto Arturo Centro de Salud, San Aleja Palm Plantation and the Rehab Therapies Center.
The team, supervised by a Honduran dentist, included two H2H-T dentists and one dental assistant, several assistants and translators. The teams treated over 500 patients and performed extractions, fluoride treatments and provided dental education. The make-shift dental clinics were set up (using movable dental chairs donated by H2H-T) in classrooms, on a cement porch, and in small rooms. The patients were most appreciative of the care given – even leaving with smiles after extractions!
Pediatric Clinics
The H2H-T pediatric team, under the supervision of the physician who oversees all of the health centers in Tela, consisted of a pediatrician, child psychiatrist and family physician (and translators). The team provided pediatric examinations and treatment at the Puerto Arturo Centro de Salud, IHNFA Day Care Center and the Rehab Therapies Center. The team also toured the new hospital and through exploration found how to make a difference and help the children of Tela. Most of the children treated suffered from presumed parasites and ear infections. The team worked in very small, crowded, hot and non-ventilated rooms, with mothers with children waiting for hours to be seen.
Women’s Health Clinic
The Women’s Health team (five nurse practitioners, Dr. A and four translators) provided six consecutive days of clinics to test for cervical cancer (and necessary follow up) and conduct breast exams. They worked where the need was the greatest and poverty was at its highest – in very crowded, hot and non-ventilated rooms in two Garifuna communities and two Centro de Salud clinics in Tela. Over 315 women were seen and treated; and without these clinics, many cancers would not have been detected. A specialized cervical cancer screening instrument – a colposcope (purchased at a cost of $1900 – by an anonymous donor and H2H-T) was gifted to the overseeing Dr. of the Women’s Health Clinic. Dr. A was trained in its use by H2H-T and agreed to help train other doctors in his district whom he supervises, and offer ongoing colposcopy services in Tela.