Medical / Dental Programs

March 2009


March 2009

Fluoride and de-worming program

During 2008 over 2000 children in the Quimistan Valley received fluoride rinse and de-worming medicines every 6 months. Through our local staff and missionary teams, this program was expanded to include all of the schools within the Quimistan Valley. Early in 2009 and into the future, we pray to continue this medical outreach to expand to the more remote villages.

Medical Outreach

In late 2007 we hired Dr Elsa Avila to provide much needed medical services to the children in the Agape Promises school sponsorship program. Dr Elsa is available to the children free of charge. Medicines are provided as well. We serve an average of 75 patients per month.

Clinic Services

Additionally, Dr Elsa serves the Quimistan community through office hours two afternoons a week at a nominal charge. In the fall of 2008 we recognized the need to support Dr Elsa’s efforts with a nurse and Edith Magana was added to the clinic staff. Included in the clinic services is a program to care for diabetics through distribution of medicines, monitoring of sugar levels and coaching in how to improve their medical situation via life style changes. Currently that program is authorized up to 20 participants.

Adopt a Village

Late last year, we began a new program to reach people in small villages who do not have access to any medical care. The need was so great that the Board approved two visits a month to small villages with Dr Elsa, Nurse Edith and medicines. On average the medical team sees 55 patients (mostly children) each time and provides them with the Doctor’s care and the needed medicines at no cost.

Through grants and gifts we have expanded to three villages a month in 2009 and have selected 6 villages as areas for focus. We seek to understand the underlying causes for illness and seek solutions so as to prevent recurring illnesses.

Dental Mission

Each year a dental team volunteers their time to treat the dental needs of the children in the Agape Promises program and the people of Quimistan. Education on dental hygiene is an important part of this mission. As we become more aware of the impact of poor dental hygiene on overall health, we see this program as critical to the health and well being of the population.

Eye Clinics

Access to eye exams and prescription eye glasses are a luxury in Honduras. In the summer of 2006 a missionary team utilized a portable auto-refractor and glasses donated by the Lions Club to offer these services. The demand was so great that the eye clinics were repeated several times during 2007. Each time the clinics were held between 300 and 500 people were seen.

An opportunity arose to buy a used auto-refractor which, through generous donations, we were able to do. The machine is now permanently in Honduras and available for use. As the next step in this outreach we plan to take the auto-refractor to the same small villages and offer this service. A talented missionary built a portable carrying case so we can safely transport the machine.

One of our goals for 2009 is to create a training video on how to conduct eye exams and fit for glasses. With this tool our partners in Honduras will be able to offer this service year round.