Further Expansion of Medical Center in Santa Catarina Mita, Guatemala.
Rotary Global Grant GG1875559
Our grant that provided for regular clinics at the Center (general medicine, vision, dental, gynecology, ENT) at selected days of the week are continuing. The doctors are charging an affordable fee (and provide free services if needed) to make the Center operation self-sustainable. From January – March 2019 the following services for a total of 403 patients were provided:
Gynecology (Dr. Torres) – 52 patients total (6 free)
Nutrition (LICDA Gasparico) – 10 (4)
General Medicine (Dr. Xiomara) – 259 (20)
Otorrino (ENT) – Dr. Muguercia Hernandez – 17
Dentist – Dr. Vasquez- 65
We have a long history of health services in Santa Catarina Mita. They started in 2002 with yearly Health Fairs, to provide free services, including for people who never visited a doctor. Subsequently, the health services were enhanced with year-around clinics for dental services (2007), vision services (2011), and ear/nose/throat (ENT) services (2014). In 2016 these specialized services were combined with general medicine and gynecology in one 4000sq.ft. building (the Medical Center), leased by the Mayor to Fraternidad Catarineca for 35 years without rent.
Our work in Guatemala was possible through close collaboration with Fraternidad Catarineca (Abner Polanco and Lilian Chincilla) and close cooperation with Rotary Clubs in our District 5320 (Rotary of Newport-Balboa, San Clemente Sunrise, Laguna Beach, San Juan Capistrano, Irvine, and Villa Park) and in Guatemala (Club Rotario Huehuetenango, de la Ermita and Guatemala Oeste).