Investing in Health Pays Off - Nicaragua

March 28, 2012 - PRLog -- The Roberto Clemente Health Clinic’s Annual Health Care Fair on February 4 was a success, with numbers far surpassing expectations. Around 1,200 residents, who live in the remote communities of southwest Nicaragua, received free health care in Limon 1, Tola, Rivas.

Adults patiently waited to receive free check-ups from more than 30 medical professionals from Nicaragua and the United States who volunteered their services. While parents patiently awaited their check-ups, children joyously participated in games and activities that won them prizes, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, toys, and popsicles.  

The fair provided free services in dentistry, optometry, and primary care, as well lessons on preventative care. Additionally, this year, the clinic utilized its newly purchased ultrasound. The only ultrasound in the region, serving as a major game-changer in the community, not only ensures healthy pregnancies, but also serves as an essential tool for detecting internal injuries and for diagnosing disease. Another highlight of this year’s fair was the optometric services that were provided. Approximately 300 people walked away with a free, brand new pair of glasses.

Since 2004, the Roberto Clemente Health Clinic (http://www.nicaclinic.org) has served as a positive agent for change, providing free, low-cost health services to the local community, including emergency and primary care, low cost dentistry and laboratory services, internal surgeries in certain trauma cases, and ambulance service to the nearest hospital when more advanced medical attention is needed. Last year, the clinic began holding on-call hours, allowing patients to have access to medical care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information about this event, please contact Juan Munoz (USA) at jmunoz@nicaclinic.org or Juan Vargas (Nicaragua) at jvargas@nicaclinic.org, and view our latest newsletter at http://nicaclinic.org/publications/newsletter. To learn more about the Roberto Clemente Health Clinic, visit http://www.nicaclinic.org.

Phone: 1-410-777-8626; Nicaragua: 8675-0100 (Spanish only)

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The Roberto Clemente Health Clinic serves as a positive agent for change by saving lives, improving health and making low cost and free medicine available for those most in need. We are located in a remote area in southwest Nicaragua, - Limon1 - close to Costa Rica, and we see approximately 13,000 patients per year.

Our clinic, located in southwest Nicaragua, provides preventive and emergency care to numerous underserved communities. We serve as a positive agent for change by saving lives, improving health, and fulfilling the promise of medicine for those most in need. Each year, we see thousands of patients, as well as utilize our ambulance to transfer patients in critical condition to the nearest hospital. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds to come to the clinic, and we survive thanks to your generosity. Our clinic’s staff consists of a doctor, several nurses, pharmacists, our administrative team, as well as short-term volunteers.