Screening Patients - Voting Day in Perú

Early today we started screening patients for surgery and scheduling for this coming week. It took a bit of time to get all of us situated and get the momentum going but we did it. Today also was voting day for Peruvians, they had their first round election for president. This added an additional hurdle since some patients had until four in the afternoon to vote or be fined. The future of their country was at stake for all, but for the many seen here at the clinic, it was also their well-being.

As they walked in, they checked-in and headed to the command center where our coordinator Gail and her translator had patients fill and sign forms. Then they headed to see Dr. Jed Horowitz and his translator Patricia, an RN or Dr. Susan Downey to be medically evaluated.  It was a great experience but it was the interaction with the local people that left me much impressed. These Peruvians are so thankful and I could hear it in their voice as they gratefully thanked the Doctors and called me Doctor as I translated what he said. Women, men, young and old and children were all here.

Those that were found needing plastic surgery moved on to have their pictures taken for pre and post comparison, had their vitals taken by nurse Ginger and for children, have them see the pediatrician Dr. Jane Cross and Dr. Vinod, the anesthesiologist. After this they were scheduled for surgery this week.

The business of the day did not hinder the positive mood of the clinic. All the nurses, Doctors, the clinic's own medical personnel and even non-medical volunteers like myself were able to find a place to help.


Check-in

Our Command Center

The waiting room

Display of scheduled surgeries for the week