Disaster Relief to Honduras: Dengue Outbreak

In Mid-July, 2010, the government of Honduras issued a second request for a VCOM Medical Brigade to assist with a widespread Dengue Outbreak. At the time of the mission trip, over 33,000 Hondurans had been hospitalized for Dengue Fever and a National State of Emergency had been declared. Following a tradition of Disaster Response, VCOM sent seven medical students, Dr. Bailey, Dr. Martin and Dr. Willcox, and three pre-medical volunteers to answer the call for help. The Ministry of Health in Honduras selected five villages where the need for medical attention was greatest. Many of these villages were in remote, mountainous locations, requiring 8-9 hours of travel each day by bus over rough roads; early hours and strenuous work on-site. The team responded eagerly to meet these challenges in order to give much-needed medical care.

Each day during the week, the team provided medical exams, treatment and medication where necessary to 200 patients in each village. Villages selected included Danlí in the province of El Paraiso, San Marcos de Colon in Choluteca, Marcala in La Paz, Santa Maria del Real in Olancho, and one community in the heart of Tegucigalpa. In each village, general medical exams were provided in addition to screenings for Dengue Fever and subsequent supportive treatment with Tylenol, vitamins and oral rehydration salts if applicable.

Upon arrival in each village, the VCOM team was greeted warmly by the Mayor and local officials and often received attention from local media. At Marcala, the Minister of Housing and Transportation arrived by Helicopter from Tegucigalpa to greet the VCOM team and extend goodwill to patients at the clinic; and at Santa Maria del Real, the Honduran President’s son met the team personally. The warm Honduran appreciation for VCOM’s ongoing efforts in the country was evident.

In addition, the trip enhanced the skills and knowledge of participating students. As student Jenie Sales writes, “I not only enhanced my clinical experience and knowledge, but I obtained a greater understanding for the people and culture of Honduras”. VCOM International mission trips continue to fulfill the VCOM mission to prepare physicians for service in global healthcare.

Future medical outreach by VCOM in Honduras will include response to disasters along with the sustainable health care program which has become the VCOM trademark. As a result of extending outreach beyond the typical 1 to 2 hour driving time, VCOM outreach now extends well across Honduras (4-5 hours driving time). Moreover, Government and Agency support has extensively increased through highly effective collaboration to serve more than 1,000 Honduran citizens. The facilities used during this trip including government offices of mayors, schools and community centers extended VCOM partnerships and proven capacity to readily adapt to whatever the situation requires. Face-to-face meetings with government officials on this trip included Minister of Health, Minister of Defense, Minister of Transportation and Housing and office of the President of Honduras; Dean of the National Medical School, Dean of the Catholic Medical School, President of the Board of Medicine and other governmental and non-governmental offices. VCOM collaboration in education, research and clinical activities continues to grow in volume and depth of activities; a progression that is anticipated for the long-term future.

International and Appalachian Outreach

Disaster Relief to Honduras: Dengue Outbreak