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What are the goals of a PfS medical
mission?
Our goals are to triage, identify and refer surgical candidates to
appropriate surgical teams; to screen and treat low grades of cervical
dysplasia; and to provide medical attention, if appropriate.
How can I help?
You can volunteer on a medical mission. By giving of your time and
expertise, you become a very important part of a team that makes
dramatic changes in the lives of under-served Guatemalans. Your
participation gives them a future filled with hope and possibilities for
a better life.
What medical specialties are needed?
Gynecologists, general surgeons, family practitioners, anesthesiologists,
emergency medical physicians and pediatricians.
How long is a mission?
A mission is 9 days long, including travel to and from Guatemala and one
cultural day. It runs from Saturday through the following Sunday.This is a typical schedule:
Day 1, Saturday: Arrive in Guatemala City, overnight in Antigua
Day 2, Sunday: Travel to rural area
Day 3, Monday: Clinic 1
Day 4, Tuesday: Clinic 2
Day 5, Wednesday: Cultural day
Day 6, Thursday: Clinic 3
Day 7, Friday: Clinic 4
Day 8, Saturday: Travel to and overnight in Antigua
Day 9: Departure from Guatemala city
What are the dates of the missions?
March 21 – 27, 2010
Central Alta Verapaz
May 16 – 21, 2010
Quiché
June 20 – 26, 2010
Ixcan and Northern Alta Verapaz
August 22 – 28, 2010
Polochic Valley, Alta Verapaz
October 10 – 16, 2010
Quiché
December 5 – 11, 2010
Northern Alta Verapaz
How large is a team?
Each team consists of 2 to 4 medical professionals, each with a
different specialty.
What types of patients do you serve?
Our patients live in rural areas, most of them in extreme poverty, on
less than $1 a day. Over half suffer from chronic malnutrition. Poor
sanitation, lack of electricity and running water, and open cooking
fires are typical of their homes and lifestyles. Very large families are
common and most births are unattended by medical personnel. In spite of
their living conditions, they are proud, dignified, hardworking people.
What is a typical mission like?
We serve four rural communities, evaluate approximately 500 individuals,
and identify approximately 150 candidates for general surgery (mostly
hernias and tumors), gynecological surgery (mostly prolapsed uterus),
and reconstructive surgery (cleft lip & palate, club foot, syndactyly,
polydactyly). These candidates are scheduled for surgery within 1 to 3
months, with one of our collaborating surgical teams. We also screen
approximately 400 women for pre-cancer cervical lesions, and treat low
grade cervical dysplasia with cryotherapy. Patients also receive medical
attention for infections and skin conditions, if appropriate. We do not
refer orthopedic, cancer, neurological, organ transplant, or any surgery
that is considered an emergency or that would require blood transfusions.
Please note: PfS organizes medical triage
trips. We do not perform surgery.
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I am a gynecologist. What is my role?
You will evaluate women to determine their eligibility for surgery. You
will also conduct screening for pre-cancer cervical lesions using the
VIA method (visual inspection with acetic acid) and treat mild to
moderate cases of dysplasia with cryotherapy. Familiarity with these
methods is a requirement for participation. As part of the screening
program, you will also oversee the activities of nurses from the
Guatemalan Ministry of Health that are being trained in VIA/Cryo under
the auspices of PfS.
What are the participation requirements?
Volunteers must be in good physical health, as the days are sometimes
long and demanding, travel can be rugged, and accommodations are basic.
Flexibility, team spirit and sense of humor are also important qualities.
What if I don’t speak Spanish?
Spanish language skill is a plus, but it is not a requirement to become
a volunteer. Both Spanish and Mayan translators will be assigned to you.
Can I volunteer for a surgical team?
PfS does not recruit for surgical teams. However, if you would like to
put together and lead a surgical team, including the procurement and
shipping of all necessary supplies, we would like to speak with you.
Contact Frank Peterson at 703 893-4335 or info@partnerforsurgery.org.
How much does it cost for a medical
professional to volunteer?
Our medical professionals are impassioned volunteers who are committed
to helping those in need. In addition to generously contributing your
time and expertise, you are required to contribute $1000 to help defray
medical mission expenses. You are also required to pay for your airfare
to Guatemala, and to bring your own medical supplies.
My spouse would like to accompany me.
What are the guidelines?
Due to space limitations in the PfS van, our teams are small. Priority
is given to medical volunteers, PfS staff, translators and mission
sponsors. If there is space available, your spouse is welcome to join us.
S/he is also required to pay $1000 to help defray medical mission
expenses.
I don’t have a medical background. How
can I participate?
You can become a mission sponsor, which entitles you to participate as a
non-medical support volunteer. Your responsibilities will include
coordinating patient evaluations, maintaining patient records, and
administering hemoglobin and blood glucose testing. Flexibility is
extremely important, as your responsibilities may change during the
course of the mission.
How much does it cost to become a
sponsor/non-medical support volunteer?
The sponsorship fee is $3,000.
How is the contributed money used?
It covers rural radio programs about the mission, diagnostic testing,
and all in-country logistics and support for medical mission
participants. The balance is applied to cover the costs of facilitating
surgery for the patients that are identified during your triage mission.
Are my participation and donations tax-deductible?
PfS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with no religious affiliation.
We suggest you contact your income tax advisor for possible tax credit
for your participation and donations.
I would like to volunteer. What’s the
next step?
Please complete the Volunteer Application and Release and Waiver of
Liability.
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