Year's worth of medicine arrives at Honduran clinic

Mennonite Central Committee
Friday, 7 September 2001

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras -- The doctor, dentist and nurses who serve the poor here in their community are now better equipped to make a difference. Through Interchurch Medical Assistance (IMA), Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) has provided Shalom Clinic with about a year's worth of medicine. Four IMA Medicine Boxes arrived in August at the Mennonite-affiliated clinic, which provides low-cost services to people in San Pedro Sula as well as surrounding rural communities. Pictured is Angela Dubon, a nurse at the clinic, on the day the boxes arrived.

"As soon as we had the IMA boxes unpacked, Dr. Heber Flores started using the donated medicine with patients," says Anita Good, MCC Honduras country co-representative. A registered nurse, Good volunteers weekly at the clinic and organized the project.

"The Honduran Mennonite doctor and dentist who see patients at this clinic are strongly committed to serving the poor," she adds.

Each box, valued at around $3,125 Cdn./$2,000 U.S., contains 17 long-dated and essential medicines and supplies designed to treat common illnesses of around 1,000 people for three months. Medicines include Ibuprofen, antibiotics, vitamins and antifungal creams. The boxes of donated supplies are available free to agencies that are contributing members of IMA. This project is the first time MCC has requested the boxes.

Shalom Clinic's first patients in June 1999 were people left homeless by Hurricane Mitch who had found refuge at Shalom Mennonite Church. The clinic has since moved to a larger facility close to many poor communities. With continued support from the Honduran Mennonite Church, the clinic now offers dentistry and basic health education, and recently expanded services to include fluoride treatments for children and maternity services.

For more information, or to contact Mennonite Central Committee, see their website at: www.mcc.org