During our week north of Lima we accomplished the following:
We performed 251 dental extractions and numerous children's checkups. Most of the extractions involved surrounding villagers and the children's checkups included the local communities and the orphanage where the clinic was located. The oldest patient was 91 years old and another patient was elderly with a diagnosed brain tumor. Several wisdom teeth were extracted.
1,151 pair of glasses were issued--some were prescription glasses while other were reading glasses. Because of the language problems the eyechart in the background uses only the letter "M" turned four directions while the person bei
ng tested holds the letter in the way he/she sees it on the chart. The tester moves progressively to smaller letters and when the person being tested can no longer accurately hold the letter in the same position as the chart, their eye strength is calculated for each eye and a set of glasses is assembled with those strength lens. Crude and basic--but it works. Reading glasses are much easier--the person being tested simply tries different strengths until they are satisfied.
We performed 251 dental extractions and numerous children's checkups. Most of the extractions involved surrounding villagers and the children's checkups included the local communities and the orphanage where the clinic was located. The oldest patient was 91 years old and another patient was elderly with a diagnosed brain tumor. Several wisdom teeth were extracted.
1,151 pair of glasses were issued--some were prescription glasses while other were reading glasses. Because of the language problems the eyechart in the background uses only the letter "M" turned four directions while the person bei
ng tested holds the letter in the way he/she sees it on the chart. The tester moves progressively to smaller letters and when the person being tested can no longer accurately hold the letter in the same position as the chart, their eye strength is calculated for each eye and a set of glasses is assembled with those strength lens. Crude and basic--but it works. Reading glasses are much easier--the person being tested simply tries different strengths until they are satisfied.
The medical staff treated or consulted 1,284 people during the week. Many were basic but essential child physicals--most of the children had never been to a doctor before. Some minor tumors were removed and other ailments treated. A significant number of pregnant women were examined but no babies were delivered on this trip.
The pharmacy was always busy and at times overwhelmed. Much of what we dispensed involved painkillers and antibiotics. Since we were only there a week and it will be at least a year until we return it wasn't possible to prescribe long-term medications since it would be impossible to have them refilled.
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