Access to healthcare is one of the most pressing issues in Guatemala, as it has the highest childhood stunting rate in the hemisphere and the Guatemalan highlands rank near the bottom of nearly all basic healthcare markers. With 60% of Guatemalans living in poverty, many are not able to afford or access healthcare. Illnesses put families into years of debt especially if the main income earner of the household becomes sick.

Our medical program began in 2002 and serves rural communities where such access to healthcare is nonexistent. During these rural mobile clinics we also host health workshops offering such education as how to purify water and how to give adequate nourishment to their children.

Along with serving rural communities multiple times a week, the Pop Wuj Clinic also operates for the urban poor. Staffed by a local doctor and nurse, the clinic has developed an incredible reputation in the city and a line forms well before its doors open. The clinic is free to those who cannot pay, and for those who can, all income is invested back into the school's various projects.

We attract healthcare/medical students and professionals to our school in order to learn Spanish, which allows the rural communities we serve to have access to superb care.

There are many costs to running the clinic. The medications, transportation to rural areas, rent, and support for chronically ill patients make up its budget. Given its success, this unique model serves as one that will be mimicked throughout the developing world.

For more information on the Pop Wuj Medical Clinic, please visit www.pop-wuj.org.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Timmy Brigade and Nutributter Visits

           Last week was busy for the medical clinic because a Timmy brigade from Butler University came to help out at the Pop Wuj and mobile medical clinic.  It was a group of about 25 medical students and doctors saw up to a hundred patients each day in different communities around Xela.   Monday they went with the mobile clinic to Buena Vista, Tuesday they worked in the Pop Wuj clinic (the line of patients wrapped around the corner!), Wednesday to Pujujil, Thursday to ACAM (AsociaciónComadrona del Area Mam) in San Juan, and Friday to Xeabaj II. From what they recounted, the experience was beneficial, interesting, and educational for them.  Two weeks ago was the mobile clinic’s first visit to ACAM, which with around 25 patients was a successful first visit.
            The coordinator for the medical clinic continues to hold meetings with the NutriButter recipients. Two weeks ago we met two different groups of women from San Juan to distribute NutriButter supplies and have a discussion, and just yesterday we visited the women in Llanos de Pinal.  The discussion topic was dehydration and the importance of drinking clean water.  This coming week we will meet again with the women of San Juan to prepare a nutritious meal and discuss more about the role of nutrition in daily life.