Peru: Policlínico Peruano Americano

Three-Month Mission Successful: Q3 2017

December 01, 2017

Magali M. de Pujalt

Summary of Activities

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 many people were in need of medical attention. Real Medicine Foundation’s team was deployed to Perú on October 12, 2007 in an effort to assist those in need.

The primary objective of our project is to bring long-term, quality healthcare to the earthquake victims who 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 an overwhelming majority of people cannot afford to pay for health services. In addition, outreach programs have been initiated to address the health needs in remote and impoverished areas around San Clemente and Pisco. RMF’s clinic, Policlínico Peruano Americano, provides all basic health services for free. To promote co-responsibility and sustainability, the clinic requests a minimal fee for specialty services, such as lab work and ultrasounds, and offers wholesale prices for medication. Patients who cannot afford minimal fees or wholesale prices are not charged. The clinic places strong emphasis on prevention and education, and this is evident in all facets of the clinic’s operations.

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Results &

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

AM Peru PPA Q3 2017 Médicos Voluntarios

Providing Care

Overcoming Challenges

In the month of July, Dr. Alarcon suffered an accident, which made it impossible for him to work for 15 days, which is why we were forced to give vacation time to the technical staff. With the addition of Dr. Patricia Altamirano to the RMF Perú team, we were able to reestablish medical attention to the patients, who were very appreciative.

AM Peru PPA Q3 2017 Inicio de la Campaña 2017

Successful Mission

10,000 Beneficiaries

Thanks to the RMF team, a large donation was collected to bring aid to the victims of the rains and mudslides. The provinces of Chosica Huarochiri and Santa Eulalia were selected for services, and part of the RMF Perú team traveled to this area to carry out this mission, which lasted 3 months, to administer free medical attention and distribute medicine, repellents, blankets, table water, hygiene kit, and others. More than 10,000 people benefited from this mission.

AM Peru PPA Q3 2017 Visitando, el Asilo de Pisco, Diploma de agradecimiento, para el Dr. Hugo

Recognition

Commending Staff

The PAMS-RMFP Medical Mission was held on August 15th and 16th in Pisco, Perú, during which attention was given regarding internal medicine, nephrology, and odontology. Dr. Patricia Altamirano, Dr. Jesica Mateo, and Dr. Christian Inchaustegu volunteered for internal medicine, and Dr. Hugo Tapia volunteered for nephrology and provided examinations and treatment to patients free of charge.

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Background

& Objectives

Background

On August 15, 2007, Pisco, Peru experienced a deadly earthquake: 7.9 on the Richter scale. Over 500 people died, more than 37,000 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. Real Medicine Foundation’s team was deployed to Peru on October 12 in an effort to assist those most 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 of people 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.

Objectives

  • Treatment of acute and chronic illnesses at our urgent care center, “Policlínico Peruano Americano.”
  • To provide all basic health services for free. To promote co-responsibility and sustainability, the clinic requests a minimal fee for specialty services, such as lab work and ultrasounds, and offers wholesale prices for medication. Patients who cannot afford minimal fees or wholesale prices are not charged.
  • To improve the comprehensive health of the community through outreach programs, educational programs, and public health initiatives.
  • Prevention and health education are strongly emphasized in all facets of the clinic’s operations.
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More

Photos

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Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
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Numbers

Served

Direct Beneficiaries

1,032 PATIENTS

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Success

Stories

Mrs. Neyra de la Cruz Isabel

Neyra de la Cruz Isabel

49 Years Old

Mrs. Neyra de la Cruz Isabel is a 49-year-old woman who visited the Policlínico presenting with a cough for a week, in addition to nasal discharge, difficulty breathing, and generally feeling unwell. The patient reports not
having had treatment previous to this consultation, assuming that her symptoms would soon pass. The medical examination provided Mrs. Neyra de la Cruz Isabel with a diagnosis of acute bronchitis.

Treatment:

  • Procaine benzylpenicillin 100,000,000 and dexamethasone 4 mg/2 ml and chlorpheniramine 10 mg/ml intramuscularly every 24 hours for 3 days
  • Nebulization with fenoterol 5 drops and 4 cc of physiological serum, 3 sessions of 10 minutes every 20 minutes every 24 hours for 3 days

On the second day of medication, Mrs. Neyra de la Cruz Isabel came to the Policlínico for her second nebulization, after which she followed up with the doctor, who observed improvement. The patient has been advised to continue with treatment and return for a follow-up.

Mr. Valle García Cesar

Valle García Cesar

64 Years Old

Valle García Cesar is a 64-year-old man who visited the Policlínico on September 21, 2017 presenting symptoms of severe chest pain and headache. He is a dedicated welder of metal structures, and his workshop is just a few doors away from the Policlínico; he is a helpful and cordial neighbor. The patient has a history of arterial hypertension for several years and has been treating with captopril 25 mg and enalapril 10 mg. At the vital signs examination, the patient’s blood pressure was recorded at 130/90 mmHg. At the medical examination he was found to have arrhythmic heartbeats, for which he was administered captopril 25 mg (2 tablets slotted) sublingual STAT. When there was no improvement, immediate hospital admission was indicated for emergency treatment, as it presented a diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmia and ventricular fibrillation. The following day the patient visited the Policlínico again with the diagnosis confirmed by the specialist in cardiology together with the treatment indicated by the same specialty in the San Juan de Dios hospital in Pisco since he had SIS insurance.

Upon his secondary examination of vital signs, the patient’s blood pressure was at 100/60 mmHg and presented without his initial symptoms. Carrying out the immediate treatment for the critical patient made it possible to arrive at an accurate diagnosis at the opportune moment. 

Mr. Perez Estela José

Perez Estela José

51 Years Old

Mr. Perez Estela José is a 51-year-old man who visited the Policlínico presenting with stinging in the upper limbs (hands and arms) and lower limbs (legs and feet) for about 1 week. For these symptoms, the patient was prescribed treatment in the post of San Clemente without any improvement.

At the medical examination, signs of phlogosis (inflammation) were evaluated, scaly lesions on both arms and legs were found, as well as multiple continuity solution without active bleeding on the hands. The patient was diagnosed with cellulitis of the left foot, allergic dermatitis, and acariasis.

Treatment:

  • Ceftriaxone 1.5 g, dexamethasone 4 mg, and chlorpheniramine 1 ampoule for 2 days
  • Doxycycline 500 mg and prednisone 20 mg (orally)

On the third day of treatment, after the reevaluation of the patient, the lesions had improved, and so he was told to continue with treatment and return for a follow-up at the end of the treatment.

Mr. Rangel Quichca Rivera

Rangel Quichca Rivera

30 Years Old

Patient Rangel Quichca Rivera is a 30-year-old man who presented with a wound and pain in the right ear, reporting to have been bitten by a dog. The patient states that the dog is his pet, has been vaccinated, and that the bite to the ear occurred while he was playing with the animal. The doctor examined the dog bite, after which he administered wound care and placed two stitches in the ear.

Treatment:

  • Cephalexin 500 mg orally, 3 times a day after meals for 6 days
  • Ibuprofen 400 mg orally, 2 times a day for 4 days