Another Successful Medical Brigade with Timmy Global Health

Text by Amy Scheuren
Photos by Ashley Aue except as noted

Last week Pop Wuj hosted the Boston College Timmy Global Health brigade.  The group arrived in Xela on Sunday afternoon, ready for orientation and a brief cultural competency lecture.

On Monday morning, everyone met at Pop Wuj at 7am to pack up and head out to Llanos del Pinal for Day 1 of the brigade.  We saw a total of 72 patients, men, women, young, and old, on the first day.

A patient receives a fluoride treament

Children play and color while their parents receive medical care

A patient with her new reading/sewing glasses

We averaged 75 patients per day all week, including mobile clinics in Xeabaj II, a K'iche' community; Pujujil, a Kachiquel community; and San Juan Buena Vista, a Mam community.

Lining up for registration in Xeabaj II

Registration line in Xeabaj II

Kids and doctors playing basketball while the parents registered

Dra. Carmen Rosa with a patient

Waiting for their consult

Filling prescriptions in pharmacy

Explaining medications with a K'ich'e-Spanish translator

Staff and volunteers taking advantage of the long bus ride back to Xela!

Finally on Friday, the Timmy brigade stayed in Xela and saw 75 patients at the Pop Wuj Clinic.

The line at Pop Wuj on Friday morning, photo by Amy Scheuren

Timmy volunteers at the eye glass station, photo by Amy Scheuren

Throughout the week Timmy and Pop Wuj doctors made referrals for patients to go to the hospital, join the nutrition program, have lab work done, and/or see specialists.  Of the 67 patients that were referred for an additional service, we are expecting about 50 to come back to the Pop Wuj Clinic to be taken to various other clinics and labs around Xela for their needed care. 

Gracias a Timmy, the Boston College chapter of Timmy Global Health, and the Pop Wuj staff and students for making this another successful brigade!