Regardless of a few last minute cancellations of some who
said they were interested, we arrived in Juanjui with a great Cardiologist, Dr
Felix Davalos, Clínica San Gabriel, Complejo Hospitalario San Pablo, San
Miguel, Lima, Peru; and the Clínica Ricardo Palma, San Isidro, Lima; Dr Michel
Del Castillo, Dra
Ingrid Hidalgo Panduro, and Maria Tacunan and Eliana Morla from Armonizar.
The first morning after arrival we were at the Juanjui
Hospital bright and early and were met by adults and children, already waiting
for the “Doctor of Hearts”. A long day
ensued as were those that followed. Days
of listening to little heart beats, at the hospital, at the Government Health
Posts in various communities of San Martin, and at many schools, both in
Juanjui and small villages along the Rio Hullaga.
The procedures included clinical evaluations using Pulse
Oximetry testing, Ascultation of heart sounds with Stethoscopes, visual, and in
some cases, Echocardiography. The results of four days showed 1080 school
children tested, 26 of whom needed follow-up through Echocardiography, and
six(6) that were referred to Los Ninos Hospital in Lima.
Four days of intensive work showed the results predicted
by the studies of Dr Bob Detrano and others regarding the prevalence of
Congenital Heart Defects(CHD) in young school age children. The best part of this four days of work, was
that there are six children who, prior to the testing, were not aware that
there was a problem. Now, help can be obtained
through the Cardiology Department at Los Ninos Hospital in Lima, to start corrections
before the children suffer the effects at a later stage of life. Correction at an early age means quicker
recovery and an excellent chance of a healthy, normal life.
Our work in the Juanjui Project will continue in 2015
with missions in June/July and October/November. You can be a part of history and our efforts
to eliminate the late discovery of CHD in Juanjui, San Martin, and hopefully in
the Region of Arequipa in late 2015.
Contact us to reserve a spot.
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