Melissa's Turn

Bob's charla (presentation)

Yesterday we gave presentations (en Español) and taught small group workshops about obstetrical emergencies for about 15 nurses, 30 interns from the local hospital and 5 experienced physicians working in isolated, rural clinics. Beto and Cristóbal (el loro y el gallo) were their usual dynamic selves. Our scheduled interpreter had to cancel for a family emergency but we all survived thanks to the patience and assistance of our audience.

One of our graduates

We were inspired by the providers we worked with yesterday and learned as much from them as they did from us. One doctor, Dorian, grew up in a mountain village in Guatemala and wanted to provide medical care for his community. He comes from a poor family and couldn't afford medical school in Guatemala, so he went to Cuba to study and train. He then returned to his village to work in a "mini-hospital" as a general practitioner (including OB care) for about $10,000 a year. They work a 28 hour shift every four days, as the center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He could make more money as a specialist in Guatemala City,  but chose to work in his community instead. Dorian requested to be able to participate in the ultrasound workshop that is happening today, always focusing on bettering his skills to further assist his community.

Photo with PCI staff

We were also impressed by the adaptability and ingenuity of the providers, some of whom work with very limited resources 7-9 hours from the nearest hospital. For example, some doctors will use an inflated condom (like a Bakri balloon) for persistent postpartum hemorrhage.

The whole group, interns in blue

We also talked with Julio, a pediatrician from the national hospital who is one of the residency faculty. the hospital has 4 residencies: internal medicine, pediatrics, general surgery and OB/GYN.  He invited us to give our presentation in the hospital so more of the doctors there could benefit, but unfortunately Suzy la ciguena slavedriver has overbooked us with too many other work opportunities on this trip. I guess we will have to come back some day. It felt like a coup actually to be invited so quickly into the hospital, as in the past, there has been resistance to foreigners coming in and teaching.  Perhaps our emphasis on informational exchange during the workshop helped with any concerns of bossy gringos coming in to dominate the scene.  

"Oh, that your smile isn't bitter and your hope does not die"

Today, Beto y Cristóbal will teach an ultrasound course at Casa Materna for the doctors and nurses who work there. There are a line of patients in front of the clinic waiting for ultrasounds already and it is only 8:30. Suzy and I will plan the workshops for the midwives in Todos Santos and Santa Eulalia.