Clinica Evangelica Morava – Honduras

Location & Community

The town of Ahuas is located in eastern Honduras, about 30 miles from the Atlantic coast, and up the Patuca River from the town of Brus Laguna. This region of Honduras is known as La Mosquitia. The landscape is tropical, with thick forests, few roads on the savannah, and many rivers. Miskito villages are scattered mostly along rivers, several large lagoons, and the Caribbean Coast. The rainy season lasts from June trailing off into December. The dry season is from January to May. Most of the year the temperature varies between the mid 70’s and 80’s F, and rarely below 65 degrees or above 95 degrees. A brisk ocean breeze usually moderates this tropical climate.

Become familiar with Honduran culture, history and economy by reviewing the Wikipedia Honduras Profile. Rich resources for Honduras health information include the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation IHME Honduras Country Profile and the World Health Organization Global Health Observatory Honduras Data.

Transportation

International visitors fly into the city of San Pedro Sula, Honduras, and then take a connecting flight to the city of La Ceiba on the Aerolíneas Sosa airline. Alternatively, some chose to take the four-hour taxi from the San Pedro Sula airport into La Ceiba, providing some views of the former Banana Republic’s scenic countryside. Very reasonable taxi service is available in the cities (but be sure to agree on a price before you get in the taxi). A reservation will be made in advance at the Gran Hotel Paris in downtown La Ceiba. Aerocaribes de Honduras airline offers flights from La Ceiba to Ahuas. Another alternative from La Ceiba to Ahuas may be to fly Alas de Socorro (based in Ahuas) in one of their Cessna 206 airplanes. Once arriving in Ahuas, a representative will meet arriving visitors. The return trip is usually the reverse of the incoming flight.

Visa Matters

For current information please visit the Honduran embassy website appropriate for one’s home nationality. United States citizens can obtain current visa information from the website of the Honduran Embassy in Washington, DC. Americans are normally granted a visa upon arrival in Honduras to stay for up to 90 days. At immigration at the airport a yellow slip of paper, the visa itself, will be stapled into passports and but be returned upon departure. When departing Honduras travelers must pay an airport tax in US Dollars.

Traveler’s Health & Safety

Malaria is endemic in La Mosquitia, but can effectively be avoided taking appropriate prophylactic medications and personal precautions. One should consult with their personal physician before traveling, and refer to the CDC Travel Website for the most up-to-date health information.

Travelers are advised to refer to the United States State Department Website for the most up-to-date nation-specific travel information, and to regularly review Current Travel Advisories.

People Served

Most people of this region are Miskito, rather than Hispanic. Miskito are indigenous inhabitants of Honduras who have a distinct language, though many also speak Spanish. Most make a living as subsistence farmers. They generally travel by foot or by small boat on nearby rivers. Malaria, tuberculosis, intestinal parasites, and malnutrition are common health problems. Increasingly as some take on more sedentary employment as teachers, merchants, and pastors, obesity is becoming a scourge with a secondary diagnosis of diabetes.

Languages

The native language of this region is Miskito, though many people also speak Spanish. INMED learners must be able to function independently in Spanish. Clinic staff is available to translate for Miskito-only speaking patients.

Medical Care Services

The Clinica Evangelica Morava has an active outpatient service that provides primary health care for both the local population and for those who travel to the Clinica via the River Patuca and by small aircraft. Malaria, diarrhea, pneumonia, malnutrition, skin disorders, trauma and birth complication are frequently managed. Inpatient hospital care in provided for 10-20 patients at any one time. Orthopedics, obstetrical care, and general surgery services are available with limited support from laboratory, ultrasound, and radiology. Clinica Evangelica Morava sees 5,000 outpatients and 700 inpatients each year, and attends 160-180 deliveries annually.

Public Health Initiatives

Women of La Mosquitia typically deliver their children at home. Or, like the intermittent rains of eastern Honduras, they pour into the Clinica Evangelica Morava with delivery complications. These stem most frequently from underlying anemia, malnutrition, and misunderstanding about pregnancy, including delayed care. Among the Clinica’s public health initiatives, midwife classes, intestinal parasite control, nutrition education, and prenatal care are very high priorities. The local government Health Centers are increasingly taking an active part in this. Transportation is very challenging in this region of jungle, savannah, and swamp. Therefore another high priority public health initiative is training village health workers. In the context of eastern Honduras these individuals provide mosquito vector and malaria awareness, management of common illnesses, and innovations for safe drinking water. They also play an important role in immunization and education of essential healthcare issues.

Healthcare Profession Staff

Clinica Evangelica Morava’s lead physician is Dr. Ovelio Lopez, Director of the Moravian Medical Program in Honduras, accompanied by a Nicaraguan surgeon. Dr. Lopez completed his medical degree from Havana, Cuba, in 2008, did further studies in Venezuela, and then obtained his full licensure with the Medical College of Honduras. Dr. Benno Marx, whose father established the Clinica in the 1950s, is also present at times. Dr. Marx completed a family medicine residency at East Carolina University in North Carolina in 1987, then did a special surgical fellowship at Bowman Gray School of Medicine.

Student Experience

More than one hundred medical students and residents have worked at Clinica Morava since it was opened in about 1950. Clinical responsibilities normally include daily outpatient clinic and inpatient rounds, as well as assisting in obstetrics and general surgery. The medical staff will meet with students individually to discuss patient care and public health issues. Previous INMED Learners who served at this training site include these Graduates.

Student Blogs

Andrew Peltier

Student Lodging & Meals

Room, meals and laundry are provided to visitors on location at the clinic at a nominal cost. The food is simple but good. Rice with coconut, and beans, is delicious! Accommodations in Ahuas are simple, similar to summer camp, with running water and showers. The clinic enjoys continues electricity from a large solar panel/battery bank system, although power is limited during night hours; a diesel generator provides backup.

Outside Communication

Communication to Ahuas or Honduras has improved vastly, with reliable cell phone service used by many local citizens. Calls or messaging to the U.S. is very reasonable. While one can bring their own cell phone from the North American, it must be “unlocked” in advance. Some visitors find it easier simply to buy a local phone with prepaid cards as needed.

Facility Support

INMED invites all participants to consider raising extra funds to financially support this facility. While such efforts are not required, they provide opportunity for INMED personnel to become involved in this important aspect of international healthcare.

Diversion

Movies, shopping and restaurants are available in La Ceiba, but Ahuas is an isolated town without these amenities. Good conversation, board games, music, hunting and crafts comprise wholesome evening entertainment.

Behavior & Dress

Lightweight cotton clothing is best for the hot and humid weather. Clothes dry slowly; so lightweight material is best. Dress is conservative. Scrubs are often worn during work. Men should wear pants in the clinic/hospital. If doing outdoor physical labor, shorts are acceptable, but not above the knee, unless for sports. Pants are preferable. Shirts should cover the shoulder. For Sunday church, men should wear pants.

Women should wear cotton skirts or pants in the clinic/hospital and pants for physical labor outdoors. Women are discouraged from wearing shorts. Modest sleeveless blouses are fine. No Spaghetti straps, tank tops. Scrubs also fine. For Sunday church, women need to wear a skirt. Pants or shorts should not be worn to church. A physician’s jacket is optional and not necessary.
For both men and women: Pierced body parts should be always covered.

What To Pack

Visitors should bring copies of all healthcare profession licenses, diplomas, or certifications. A carry-on bag should be packed that contains essentials items just in case one’s luggage becomes lost. Bring clothes appropriate for the weather.

• Above all, please bring: A Great Attitude!
• Documentation: passport, small English/Spanish dictionary
• Cash: for sodas, snacks, postcards
• Clothing: sun hat, sunglasses, swimsuit and towel, hooded poncho and/or umbrella for rain and boat travel, comfortable work shoes, sandals and flip flops for the shower.
• Hygiene: all toiletry products that will be needed, wash cloth and towel, sunscreen/sun block, bug repellant for clothing and skin
• Electronics: camera/batteries, laptop, and ipad (3G available but may require a visit to the TIGO office in La Ceiba first to configure), flashlight/batteries
• Do not bring: cigarettes or alcohol, tight clothing, or short shorts.