In the Dominican Republic city of San Pedro, one will find
the Barrio Los Flores (Neighborhood of Flowers). The Barrio is one of the
poorest areas of this small Caribbean country. There, one will also find the
Buen Pastor nutrition center and clinic. The Episcopal Order of the Sisters
of The Transfiguration oversees this outreach of compassion.
The work is multifaceted.
The Barrio is made up of families that came to San Pedro following promises
of work. When no work was found, they "squatted" on the land
adjacent to the sewage treatment plant. Realizing that there was no end to
the medical needs of this community, the Sisters started a nutrition center
to help the acutely malnourished infants and children. Some 2,000 children
under the age of five are in need of attention. Programs in hygiene and basic
health care education were started. A small medical clinic has been added
recently. Visiting professionals from the U.S. have been helpful.
Sister Jean Gabriel has
asked for help in establishing a program for pelvic exams and prenatal exams.
The major medical problems are (in order of incidence) parasites,
gastroenteritis (diarrhea and dehydration), malnutrition, pneumonia, upper
respiratory infections, and high blood pressure. The neighborhood children
suffer from parasites, scabies, malnutrition, and numerous skin diseases.
Many cases are extreme.
Although government and
private hospitals exist, the poor cannot afford care. A visiting physician
said, "They can't even afford a good diagnosis." The new clinic
hopes to alleviate this situation. A multidiscipline effort is being planned.
Units to be included are eye, dentistry, pediatrics, OB-GYN, general surgery,
lab services, pharmacy, and a teaching program.
EMMF's Role
In 1996 EMMF
continued to support the San Lucas Clinic which it had helped to establish in
1993-1995.
The San Lucas Clinic was
initially conceived by Sister Jean Gabriel, C.T., who suggested that an old
abandoned two-story school building adjacent to the San Estabanšs Church in
San Pedro de Macoric could be converted into an outpatient/teaching clinic
with particular services such as ophthalmology, ObGyn, pediatrics, dentistry
and an operating suite.
On his initial site visit
in August, 1992, Keith McCaffety inspected the building and asked the Board
of EMMF to approve a major commitment by EMMF to organize teams to provide
renovation of the building and medical/dental services to the poor people of
the barrio served by San Estaban's and its rector The Rev. Alfred Williams.
With the approval of the
Board and the complete backing of Bishop Julio Hoguin
of
the Diocese of Dominicana,
EMMF coordinated a three year project to renovate the property and turn it
into a clinic and quarters for visiting Episcopalian teams.
Specifically EMMF sent a
construction engineer and nine teams over a two year period to replace the
roof, ceiling and rotted eaves, to rewire the upper floor, replace bad
timbers in the roof, undercoat the metal roof, treat for termites, replumb
the building, and drill a water well to insure uncontaminated water for the
clinic operation.
EMMF provided funds,
equipment, and personnel to create a radiology unit, pharmacy, dental
program, and clinics in ObGyn, ophthalmology, pediatrics, family planning,
and general medicine. To top it off, EMMF secured the services of a nurse
with a Masteršs degree in public health to administer the clinic and to teach
midwifery as well as general public health education.
A dentist and his wife
from Texas initiated the services at St. Luke's Clinic by conducting a clinic
for four months at their own expense. Another Texan, a cranio-facial surgeon,
visited the clinic and made suggestions for the development of its surgical
suite. During all this time children, who needed care that the clinic could
as yet not provide, were taken to Houston and received orthopedic care and
physical rehabilitation arranged by an EMMF pediatrician.
After the clinic was
established EMMF turned over the operation of the clinic to a local
committee. Since then, periodic reports indicate that the clinic that EMMF
launched is sailing smoothly along and delivering excellent health care to a
poor people previously unserved. It was particularly gratifying to learn that
many local physicians have stepped forward to donate as much as 25 hours per
week to the clinic.
Links
Episcopal Schools in the
Dominican Republic
Work Team
Accomplishments
Scholarship Program
information
A Prospectus: Deficit
information
Profile: Clinica San
Lucas
Profile: Bishop
Julio C. Holguin
Plan for churches
in the Dominican Republic
Republic
Diocese Contacts List
Contacts:
Bishop, Rt. Rev.
Julio C. Holguin
Iglesia Episcopal Dominicana
Calle Santiago No. 114 Apartado 764
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Phones: 809-688-6016 / 809-686-6465 / 809-686-7493
Fax: 809-686-6364
Mail: c/o Lynx Air International DR/SD
Box 5000 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33340
Robert &
Mauri Stevens
email: rstevens@codetel.net.do
Mail: c/o Lynx Air International DR/SD
Box 407052 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33340
Bob & Ellen
Snow
email:
25627676@tricom.net
Mail: c/o Lynx Air International DR/SD
Box 407052 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33340
Centro Buen
Pastor Sisters of the Transfiguration
Sister Gabriela
& Sister Priscilla
email:
ct.sisters@codetel.net.do
Mail: c/o Lynx Air International DR/SD
Box 5600 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33340
Special Note:
When using Lynx Air, Letters and
small packages can be sent and cost about $1.25/lb. Enclosing that with the
shipment helps offset the cost to the recipient.
For more information about the
Dominican Republic...
LANIC - Dominican Republic
DR
One - Guide to the Dominican Republic
World Fact Book - Dominican
Republic
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