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28
November

Missing Jamaica already

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Back home now. It’s Thanksgiving. What an ideal time to consider our experience in Jamaica. We were fortunate to spend 3 weeks on this beautiful island. Truly thankful for the opportunity. The work was difficult at times, limited resources, limited medication, less than ideal facilities. These were the difficulties. The beautiful children, charming parents, supportive and helpful health care providers easily offset these difficulties. We are proud to be associated with Issa Trust. This trust is striving to provide quality care for the children of Jamaica. On reflection of medical trips, I compare projects like Operation Smile to our role with Issa. Very different goals but both are exceptional projects. While we as Pediatricians are unable to fix cleft lip and palate, a spectacular accomplishment, we provide longitudinal care and take “baby steps” in optimizing the well being of many more children where we work. While Issa Trust also does big things, donating radiology equipment, ventilators etc. our contribution must be viewed in a longitudinal perspective. Each Pediatrician during their one month stay helps a small but significant number of children, the cumulative effect of all the Pediatricians who come to Jamaica substantially enhance the well being of all the children in the service area. This is one of the laudable achievements of Issa Trust and in our experience a unique aspect of medical care projects. We want to thank Issa Trust and the people at Port Maria, Annotto Bay and Port Antonio for the opportunity to help the children of Jamaica. We loved our time there and hope we can return soon. A special thanks to Diane Pollard and all the hard work she does to make this project so successful. AT and CT
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17
November

2 weeks completed for Issa

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enjoying the time here. lots of work, averaging 20 patients a day in each of the different settings. Port Maria is the most consistent, seeing a mixture of typical office based issues from URI’s to constipation, last week however there was an outbreak of impetigo and saw multiple kids with identical histories. Doled out a lot of Augmentin and Mupirocin as Cephalexin is unavailable. Annotto Bay has been the hardest to get to, transportation issues a constant so one needs to learn to relax and get there when you get there. You can enjoy breakfast and ask front desk to call you when driver arrives. makes the wait better. Port Antonio has been great fun, stay mostly in A and E, see lots of kids and staff very grateful for the help. this week had a child with pneumonia and another with both bone forearm fracture that was 3 days old. Tough kid, parents just happy to have child evaluated. Did see a Mom with elephantiasis, had had illness for thirteen years. otherwise mostly typical illnesses seen in US with emphasis on derm here. Would recommend a few things on your visits to hospitals. would suggest hand sanitizer and if you want to wash your hands, bring your own soap and paper towels. should probably carry tissues as well. I happened to bring stickers for the kids, a big hit. They are definitely big sponge Bob fans, girls have liked the princesses. People do not complain about waiting and are thrilled to have Pediatric input. You do need to feel comfortable working independently, but people will try to help if you have questions. Looking forward to next week and some new experiences. AT
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07
November

first week

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Great week so far. first day at each site a bit rough. Have to get in the swing of things, but then things roll. In Anotto Bay, hospital moderately larger than in Port Maria. Busy ward, interesting too. Multiple kids in ward like setting. Babies in with bigger kids, Dr. Ramos is very sharp as consulting attending, pushes general docs to consider all variables in diagnosis and management. Obviously very invested in the welfare of the children. today, second day seeing many newborns and up to 1-2 month old well babies, general pediatric care and beautiful children (and Mom’s). Very kind and gentle souls. Get to see them quickly though as there are many newborns. then on to the A and E (accidents and emergencies)area. today none to see so left a touch early. Gets pretty toasty in room with no AC and only open windows. But families happy to get care. Looking forward to seeing last site tomorrow. I am enjoying hanging out in the pool after work. Also even found time to work out before our ride arrives in AM.
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06
November

Welcome to Jamaica

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Great start to our trip. Enjoyed the first few days relaxing at Couples Resort, truly vacation like. First day at Port Maria quite the contrasting experience. Beautiful children, a true joy to see in the clinic. Very sweet and caring parents, obviously devoted, seeking out care for their kids. Not much in the way of supplies, pharmacy closed, radiology closed, but certainly able to evaluate kids clinically. Parents very appreciative of our efforts. 2 asthmatic children, one dog bite and one fussy little infant were the highlight patients of the day. All the kids wore big smiles.
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Issa Trust Foundation | 7900 Nova Drive | Suite 101 | Davie, FL 33324