Over 3000 patients each year are treated through the three facets of Cristo Salva's Medical Missions Program. Patricia Havener, R.N. is the Medical Director for Cristo Salva.
The medical missions started out with the Hut to Hut ministry, providing in-home medical care to people within an hours distance of Las Varas. This ministry is still continued in the remote villages. In 2000, the first mobile medical clinics began. Team members pack up the medical supplies and set up in Churches and community centers. It is not unusual to treat upwards of 500 patients in a mobile clinic.
In 2005, a 3900 sq ft clinic was built in Macuelizo. The doors opened for the first clinics with dirt floors, limited equipment and supplies. Since then the clinic has been finished, equiped and is an excellent vehicle with which to minister to the overwhelming crowds who need medical treatment. In 2008, two dental operatories were equipped and the first dental team arrvived from Maine. 79 dental patients were seen during the first dental clinic. By the 2009 trip the two dental operatories were fully functional with dental cabinets and equipment. 121 patients were seen during the course of the week. Over 3000 toothbrushes were distributed in 2008. In 2008 a warehouse (bodega) was contructed for much needed storage of medical supplies. In 2009 it was wired and painted.
A new triage system was instituted in 2009. This enables us to expand our care to neighboring villages and provide a higher level of care than field visits. A triage team would go out into villages and assess potential patients and on the day their clinic was scheduled we provide a bus to transport them. It was wonderful to have many patients come to the clinic who would normally not be able to come.
Long lasting relationships are formed with the Honduran people. They look forward to seeing the teams every 10 weeks. Many have come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ through the efforts of Cristo Salva. Our belief is by meeting their immediate needs we will be able to lead them to our Savior who can meet their greatest need.
The prenatal program was started in 2001 by forming partnerships with Vitamin Angels, Direct Relief International and King Pharmaceutical. Over 300 women are currently being treated through this program. Direct Relief International is providing supplies and mid-wife bags. Cristo Salva is directly involved in training local mid-wives and provides Safe Delivery Kits (please see Care Kits to learn more).
Treating wounds is a large portion of the medical care in the fields and homes. Machete wounds are prevalent. Parasites are a large concern and are treated through dispersing anti-parasitic medications.
Cristo Salva is responsible for opening the doors of over 250 schools for preventative disease education such as hand washing, safe drinking and water supplies, vitamin disbursement (partnering with Vitamin Angels) and recently dental education. Over 55,000 children receive vitamins and anti parasitic medine through the efforts of Cristo Salva and Vitamin Angels.
