Working with Politily's team to serve their community
Today was the first day of our two clinics back on the island of Roatan. To sum up, the day was busy with multiple moving pieces, but quickly became an incredibly efficient machine that serviced so many people.
When we arrived at the clinic, we were greeted by the staff that worked there and who assisted us through the process. Many of the team members collaborated with us throughout various positions. Some of the nurses helped Thomas with checking in and triage. Others helped Ellen and Chris in the pharmacy as we pulled our resources to fill prescriptions seen after the clinic. Jillian worked with the clinic’s doctor on procedures and prescribed medicines that were outside of our scope.
The early stages of the clinic began hectic as these two groups were attempting to reach collaboration. However, once we had a chance to talk and adapt to each other’s system, the workflow became symbiotic as we were able to record and catalog patients for the clinic, and they were able to record for P4GH. Through working with them, we were able to extend their care capacity to serve their community, while also allowing us to see what the needs are of Politily in the surrounding eastern side of Roatan.
Even collaborating with another entity, this very much still had staple elements from our Guanaja clinics. Dr. Debbie Adams and Dr. Miguel had become a well oiled machine and worked beautifully alongside each other in dentistry. Ann Carver was running the “flea market” and playing with the kids to allow them to have fun during clinics and while their parents were being treated. Each of our medical providers were busy and active as we had a steady stream of patients through our morning.
However, as we hit the middle of the day, the stream of patience began to dwindle, and eventually halted around noon. After staying for a little longer, we packed up early and headed back to the yacht club for our evening activities.
We ended our night by having one final team meeting. The discussion surrounded a survey that team members filled out after returning from the clinic to see about areas of improvement for future trips. Our team came to many realizations about the trip, the personnel that we had, and key pieces of information we learned along the way. Since this has been a preliminary trip, we have used it as a learning experience, while also keeping an eye on what to be anticipating. Relationships on the island and within its medical system, to hopefully provide substantial relief and change that will cause ripples and waves to the island’s greater community.
Hebrews 10:24-25
“<span style="font-weight:normal;">And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”</span>