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Project Report Benque Viejo Clinic (Emily Paup, August 2012)

Project Contacts: Nurse Sheila Bohn, RN

Summary of the Project

The Benque clinic is located in the small border town of Benque Viejo del Carmen with a

population of 8,000. The clinic is a public institution, offering free healthcare to the

approximately 200 patients who receive care each week. There are not many employees,

which contributes to the growing need of volunteers and interns. The main focus is

providing quality medical care to the people of Benque and the surrounding towns, who

may not receive treatment otherwise.

Project Timeline

There is not a set timeline for this project. The work that interns do is based on the daily

needs of the clinic.

Vision of the Project

The vision is to provide quality medical care to the citizens surrounding Benque. Many of

the people who come to the clinic do not have enough financial resources to travel to San

Ignacio or Belmopan, so the clinic is the only place to see a doctor or get medication.

Role of the Volunteer

The volunteers and interns can assist in many areas. Triage is the focal point of an intern’s

duties. This includes taking vitals, checking blood sugar and obtaining malaria slides.

Interns can also work with the pharmacy. The pharmacy is a more relaxing place where

interns will count out pills and label medications. I also helped in the treatment room,

handing items to the nurses while they were providing wound dressings and removing

stitches.

Suggestions

I think that this project would be much better if there was more of a focus. I felt like I was

definitely needed in the clinic, as they were understaffed; however at many points there

was nothing for me to do. I think that the term ‘project’ doesn’t really apply. The term

project evokes the idea of a true ending point. When I left, I didn’t feel like I really

completed anything, I just helped out for a few weeks. A good idea would be if we could aim

this project towards diabetes. For example: creating posters discussing managing the

disease and healthy eating habits, providing outreach clinics, a public presentation and free

glucose checking with doctor follow-up. I saw a lot of the posters and advocacy for

exclusive breastfeeding, and I think that we could do the same for diabetes and possibly

hypertension.

Advice to future volunteers

Be very flexible and resilient. Nurse Sheila is a very good nurse and she genuinely cares

about all the patients, however she comes off a little harsh at times. Don’t let her

personality walk all over you. There are times where you will be very busy and times

where you have nothing to do. I know this is like most jobs, but sometimes being stuck at

the clinic is not where you want to be. Try to make the best out of everything. Ask if you can

help, observe and learn. If there’s nothing to do, make sure you bring a book. Make

friends with the nurses. Dorita and Rosita are the warmest, most welcoming people. They

can help make your experience much more enjoyable. Learn Spanish! I picked up some

phrases along the way, but having a good background in Spanish is highly advisable for this

project. Many of the patients do not speak English; so providing care to them will be

difficult without knowing how to say certain phrases, numbers and body parts.

Project Funds:

Digital thermometers (axillary). Possibly a shelf, in collaboration with Katie Cosgrove.

8/30/12 4:10 PM

8/30/12 4:10 PM