Dominican Republic- Day #5 - Wednesday, July 6, 2011- Batey Peligro

On Wednesday, we went to Batey Peligro. This was my favorite batey of the week. The children were especially friendly and well behaved. I spent the first half of the day with Ana, the pediatrician, and then the second half of the day on my own with Juan Carlos as my interpreter.

When we arrived, we set up in a three roomed school. This was the most effective setup of the week because we were able to do height, weights, and BP and have people wait in one room; all the consults in the second room; and pharmacy and clothing in the third room.

As soon as we got there and were setting up, I met Odelina, Maquel and Susanna, three kids that were just hanging around the school.

We also set up the outside with the bug juice and dentistry sections.

We saw a variety of conditions this day as well. I was very encouraged by a first time mother who brought in her 1 month old baby, who she had birthed at home, and just wanted to make sure everything was okay with her. The baby was so healthy!! When assessing the baby though, I noted that the baby's abdomen was bound with a rag. When asked what it was for, the mother responded that it was to prevent an umbilical hernia. I love cultural traditions- it was definately cool to see and understand.

We also saw a 28 year old mother, who only had enough money to pay for a card for herself. She came in with three of her daughters, 19 month old twins and a 12 year old. They all were not well and she was asking if we could help them too. One of the twins appeared very sick. She was lethargic and had nasal drainage. The mother stated that she had a fever and a cold. The baby had a temperature of 104.5F and had a double ear infection and a respiratory infection. She wouldn't even take a lollipop offered to her. She would randomly fall asleep. We gave her some tylenol and started her on some antibiotics. It was really sad to think that because of lack of money, this child may have not been seen, or if we had not been at that batey that day, how much longer she would have been sick. I thank God we were able to help her. The second twin had a scalp rash as did the twelve year old. The mother was asking for a referral to have a tubal ligation, being that she already had 6 children. She also complainted of a ptygerium. It is a fleshy growth that over time grows over ones eye. It is a result of long-term exposure to sun. She had had it removed twice already and it was beginning to grow back.

Once on my own, and seeing only adult patients, I treated a number of vaginal infections, stomach pain, and did a lot of clean water teaching.

On lunch break, I spent time with the kids. They all wanted the pictures taken. I wanted to remember the names of the kids so I began writing them down as they told me. This only made every one of the kids to want to have their picture taken. It was a great day!

wheel and stick

jumprope

the girls

Manuel

Ali

Susanna and Ludi

Jesenia and Fraeci

Rosita, Maeleni, Kenya, Heide

Hido