Peru: Policlínico Peruano Americano

Project Goal:
To provide long-term comprehensive health assistance to the people in the province of Pisco (pop: 125,000), specifically in the district of San Clemente (pop: 30,000). 

Project Objectives:
– Treatment of acute and chronic illnesses in the urgent care center “Policlínico Peruano Americano”. San Clemente is a very impoverished area and all services are offered free of charge. Much attention is given towards prevention and health education within all facets of the clinic’s operations.
– To improve the comprehensive health of the community through outreach programs, educational programs, and               
public health initiatives.
 
BACKGROUND
On August 15, 2007, Pisco, Perú experienced a deadly earthquake…7.9 on the Richter Scale.   Over 1,000 people died, 40,000 families were left without homes, and 150,000 people were left without water.  The majority of the health infrastructure was damaged or destroyed in the earthquake and the people were in need of medical attention.  The Real Medicine Foundation team was deployed to Perú on October 12 in an effort to assist those in need. 
The primary objective of our project was to bring long-term free healthcare to the victims of the earthquake who had lost their homes, possessions, and in many cases, loved ones.  The areas most affected were Pisco, Ica, Chincha, Cañete, and Huancavelica.  The site of the RMF clinic is in San Clemente, Pisco.  San Clemente is the poorest district of Pisco and the overwhelming majority cannot afford to pay for health services. In addition, outreach programs have been initiated to service the health needs in the very remote and impoverished areas around San Clemente and Pisco.
 
San Clemente is a very impoverished area and all of the services offered are free.  The clinic places much importance on prevention and education and this is evident within all facets of the clinic’s operations.
 
The new location for the Policlínico Perúano Americano opened its doors on May 19, 2014 on Calle Barrios Altos Nº 426 in San Clemente.  Operating Hours:  7am – 4pm

Results and/or accomplishments achieved during this reporting period:

• Successfully serviced and fixed the ecograph machine in Lima, and is working like new again.
• Painted the outside of the Policlínico Peruano Americano with the RMF logo.
• Applied RMF logo to the x-ray machine.
• Planned and held the PAMS Mission which happened on the 19^th, 20^th and 21^st of August. A total of 174 patients were treated, many with histories of diabetes and hypertension. There were also 56 patients who received dental consultations with extractions, treatments and fluoridation.  4 patients required psychological care, and 12 were transferred to medical specialists in Chincha, needing advanced care.  The PAMS 2014 Mission left us the following medical equipment:
  • Digital Incubator, 3 Micro pipettes Brand SCILOGEX ; 1 Camera of Neuwar/double mirror
• An Art workshop and Psychotherapy session was conducted for some patients after a brief orientation to work and how to improve mental health.
• Visited by the inspectors from DIRESA on the 15^th of August. They made some suggestions and scheduled a return inspection in one month’s time.
• As it is so rare to receive dental patients at our clinic the dentist and team have been visiting local schools to offer their services in Dental Campaigns. The dental care team held 8 fluoridation campaigns at different elementary schools in San Clemente with a total of 1,837 children treated.
• Oral Hygiene talks given at schools and at our clinic.
• Visited by a local first grade student class.
• Funds raised by the laboratory in the months of July, August and September: US$1,579 

Number served/number of direct project beneficiaries:
 
Total Number of Direct Beneficiaries: 3,326

• Patients Seen: 3,326
• Average per day: 55.3
• New Patients:  220
• Demographics:
  • Male: 1,433
  • Female: 1,893
  • <1 years:  229
  • 1 – 5 years:  380
  • 6 – 14 years:  848
  • 15 – 24 years:  504
  • 25 – 39 years:  428
  • 20 – 59 years:  707
  • 60+ years:  62

Patient Success Stories

CASE 1

Nicolaza Moreano Jimenez is 52 years old and from San Clemente. Nicolaza came to our clinic with headaches, stomach ache, vomiting, chills, and diarrhea for 24 hours.

After a careful examination our doctor diagnosed Gastroenteritis and Dehydration, and put the patient under observation and treatment for four hours, applying SPE (intravenous fluids) 500ml Sodium Chloride 80 drops per minute, and Ceftriaxone 1g, Ranitidine 50mg, 10mg Metoclopramida, Hiosina 10mg, and 1g Metamizol.

Nicolaza was discharged and rechecked the next day and given oral medication for 5 days.

CASE 2

Saturnino Tineo Allccaco is 58 years old and lives in San Clemente. He came to our clinic with symptoms of dizziness, headache, and abdominal pain.  He didn’t have any other clinical history and all other vital signs were normal.

Our doctor examined him and diagnosed him with a Urinary Tract Infection, Dyslipidemia, and Gastritis. He was given the following treatment:

Ciprofloxacin 500 mg: 1 tablet every 12 hours for 7 days

Atorvastatin 20 mg: 1 tablet every 24 hours for 20 days

Low fat diet

CASE 3

Barbara Flores Gines is 7 years old and was brought to our clinic by her mother for emergency service presenting with vomiting (5 times a day), mucous diarrhea (6 times per day), colicky abdominal pain, dry mouth and sunken eyes. She was diagnosed by our attending doctor with Gastroenteritis with Dehydration and a Urinary Tract Infection.

Barbara was then successfully treated with the following:

CLNA 9% jet 300 cc  then 60 cc per minute; Ceftriaxone 1g, IV, diluted slowly, Metamizol 1g ¾ amp IV, diluted slowly, Hiosina 20mg / 4 blister, IV, diluted slowly.

CASE 4

Simona Conislla Rondines is 59 years old and lives in Cabeza de Toro. Simona arrived at our clinic with symptoms of headache, dizziness and nausea. She had normal vital signs.

The attending physician examined the patient and ordered lab tests for Glucose and Cholesterol.  The diagnosis was Diabetes Mellitus, Dyslipidemia, and a Urinary Tract Infection.

Treatment was as follows: Hydrate CLNA 9% 3 bottles by high glucose. Oral treatment: Ciprofloxacin 500 mg every 12 hours for 5 days , and Glibendamina 5 ml every 24 hours for 10 days.