GLASGOW — As much as Americans might complain about the current health care system in the United States, it is still light years ahead of what many countries have elsewhere in the world.
A local nurse, who made her third mission trip to Guatemala in January with a non-profit group of volunteer medical professionals, spoke to the Glasgow Business & Professional Women’s Club Thursday night at the Glasgow Golf and Country Club.
Bonnie Bennett, RN, works in the emergency department at T.J. Samson Community Hospital and she, along with her husband, John, a local pharmacist, and other volunteer medical specialists, travel to Guatemala in January each year. They spend 10 days treating patients for everything from cancerous tumors to reconstructive facial surgery.
She told the group of her experiences working with the people of the Central American country who are in desperate need of the most rudimentary medical care.
The not-for-profit, charitable organization, Children of the Americas Inc. (COTA) is based in Lexington. Several people in the medical field locally join others from Kentucky and other states to make the annual trips to bring much-needed care to the people of Guatemala.
While COTA’s mission is mainly focused in Guatemala, the group has treated children in more than 18 countries, according to information provided by Bennett.
To make these medical mission trips possible, the team must ship all the equipment, supplies and medicines they are going to use to the town or village where they will be setting up facilities to treat patients.
One way COTA manages this is by partnering with Chiquita, a company based in Guatemala, to send supplies back in empty cargo containers that were originally filled with bananas being shipped to the U.S.
Patients can travel for up to one to two weeks to reach the site where the clinic has been set up and then stand in line for two to three days to be evaluated with no guarantee they will receive treatment. Not all patients are treated. Team members have to turn some away based on who has the most critical need, Bennett said.
Before any treatment can begin, the team must clean the building they are going to be using, which includes washing floors, ceilings and walls with bleach. The facilities are often primitive and infested with insects, according to Bennett.
Personal safety is also an issue for team members and the group hires guards to watch over them while they are there, Bennett said.
The Bennetts were introduced to the program by another local couple, friends Laurie and Mike Branstetter. Mike is also a pharmacist.
Volunteers must go through a vetting process before the can join the team. Each individual medical professional brings different skills to the group.
Specialities include OB/Gyn, general surgery, plastic surgery, orthopedics and medical/dental clinics.
This past January the team saw 900 clinic patients and 400 dental patients.
They performed 120 surgeries, filled over 4,000 prescriptions and treated over 1,000 total patients in the 10 days.
Bennett said she worked long hours each day and in extreme conditions, but that the work is the most rewarding she has ever done.
For more information on COTA or to make a donation, write Children of the Americas, Inc., 1781 Eastwood Drive, Lexington, KY 40502, call (859) 269-4721 or (859) 684-1299 or visit their Web site at www.childrenoftheamericas.org.
Health
Related Photos
-
Lisa Simpson Strange
Discussion
Locals help bring medical care to Guatemala
- Health
-
-
Kentucky has highest percentage of smokers
Which states have the highest smoking rates, and which have the lowest? New data released Thursday about smoking rates coincides with the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout.
-
Histories lead to involvement
As Barren County gears up for its annual Heart Walk on Saturday, organizers and participants in the event take a step back to think about why they have become involved in the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk over the years.
-
Students raise heart disease awareness
Elementary students in the Glasgow Independent and Barren County school systems will get a taste of their respective high schools’ rivalry in an inter-district competition to raise awareness and funds for heart disease.
-
FDA warns about licorice, offers other Halloween safety tips
Too much Halloween candy really can make you sick, especially if you've got a fondness for licorice, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
-
United Way of So. Ky. president moves to state level
United Way of Southern Kentucky is losing its president at the end of the month, as Doug Eberhart moves on to become the president of United Way of Kentucky.
-
Events raise awareness, funds for breast cancer
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, two upcoming events are trying to raise awareness and money for organizations that fight breast cancer.
-
Need a flu shot? Find vaccination sites near you
The flu season is approaching and people are encouraged to get a flu vaccine. Use this interactive map to find a location near you and get vaccinated.
-
Clinic offers free stretching help
A local physical therapy office is offering community members free stretching demonstrations and instructional tools in honor of physical therapy month this October.
-
Students explore career options
High school students and their families, as well as others from the community, gathered Tuesday night at Barren County High school to explore possible career and higher education opportunities, particularly those in health care and manufacturing.
-
Events will support health-related causes
Local residents will have two opportunities this Saturday to support national organizations working to end compelling health problems.
- More Health Headlines
-
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Remains of Veterans Found in Basement Are Buried
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Serial Stabbings Suspect Guilty of Murder
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
US Airways: Diverted Flight Has 'Landed Safely'
A Few Odd Business Sparks but Europe Gloomy
Revived Focus on Regulation After JPMorgan Loss
Gerard Butler: the Good, the Bad and the Cannes
At Least 25 Dead in India Train Collision
Raw Video: Private Rocket Blasts Off
Boy to Rescuers: 'Do You Have a Plan?'
Doctors and Devotees Debate Barefoot Running
Blacks Seek to Find Their Own Missing
Houston Museum Unveils $85 Million Dinosaur Hall
