Day 3

In addition to our technical difficulties in trying to put up pictures, I am having difficulty signing onto my blog account; therefore, I will be using my friend’s. With that said, today is our third day in Panama. Today we were able to get a little bit of a later start (at 11am). Therefore, some of us decided to hit the nature trail for our daily workout. Along the way, we even ran into our leader, Dr. Cadena, coming back from her morning walk. We went to the Arraijan clinic which is a local clinic for both insured and uninsured patients. The clinic is quite different from what you’d find in a clinic in the US. The cost for a consult at the clinic is ‘uno balboa (which is equivalent to one US dollar)’. Panama has a healthcare system where no one will be denied care when it is needed. The clinic was small, and not equipped with high technical equipment that we are so familiar with. This district had a problem with overcrowding. The rooms were situated such that there was a waiting room for all ages with all different problems (ie: there were no distinctions for chronic verses acute diseases/situations or for pediatrics verses geriatrics). The central waiting rooms were connected to a hallway with “specialty rooms (maternal health, pediatrics, vaccinations).” However, these specialty rooms were comparable to bedrooms; not the more spacious areas of the hospital we are used to in the States.
The procedures of the nurses were also quite different. For example, isolation precautions are not taken in Panama. Although tuberculosis and HIV are two very prevalent diseases there are no special masks, no gloves, or other protective clothing devices that healthcare members use in the States. Although most everyone in Panama would test positive for having been exposed to TB, the transmission rate is not necessarily as high as one would think. The compliance rate is quite good, and treatment is approximately 80% successful. The patients are given their medications for any disease, regardless of their ability to pay.
Another interesting concept was that HIV patients received their medications in the same room as the TB patients. This is of significance because HIV patients are susceptible to tuberculosis because of immunosuppression. It was very interesting to see how other places run their clinics.
Following the clinic visit, we went to see the Valle de las Rosas which is a picture of poverty amidst a breath-taking tropical paradise. It was quite sad to see where the squatters put up these shackles in attempt to shelter themselves. We will be working in places such as these to bring health services to this population.









After this we went back to our villas and jumped into our business casuals to go to the University of Panama. We were introduced to faculty of the University (which was an intimidating event due to the language barrier and the Panamanian big wigs (President, deans, etc) in their formal business attire).
Now alas, at about 6:00pm we are back in our villas, sheltered from the rain, and doing all the coursework we must do and scratching up some food for the night. Watermelon for dinner anyone? Until tomorrow then…
*Amanda N.