VCOM 2021 Annual Report

Honduras

Baxter Clinic The clinic at Baxter Institute (pictured left) closed for public access but continued to see students and faculty inside Baxter and outside patients via telemedicine over cell phones and pharmacy distribution through the outside gate. The clinic was able to provide COVID-19 detection, treatment and referrals. In 2020, not only was COVID-19 a challenge but also an unusual hurricane season showed the country’s vulnerability. Honduras was hit by two Category 4 hurricanes within two weeks, creating a national disaster in Honduras’ northwestern areas. Hurricane Eta made landfall on November 3, 2020, and Hurricane Iota on November 18, 2020. Even today, the region continues to dig out from mudslides. Aid agencies said nearly 7 million people in a zone stretching from Colombia to Mexico needed assistance. Official figures say 4.7 million people in Honduras were affected by these storms. Despite high rates of COVID-19 in the flooded areas, the clinic was able to put together food bags, clothing and medicine to serve at least 300 families in the community of La Lima. The Baxter Clinic staff traveled to the hurricane site with food, medical care and medicine for the several-day emergency response. Honduras Hurricane Disaster Response

Despite a reduction of patients due to COVID-19 restrictions 2,725 TOTAL PATIENTS were seen at the Baxter Clinic in 2020.

“Words can’t be enough with the emotions witnessed during these deliveries. These children and their families have been through a lot; some were evicted from their houses they could no longer pay rent for. Still, God has shown love and grace during these hard times. Even when a toy was not something they could afford or expect, VCOM blessed them, bringing joy to their hearts.”

Xiomara Erazo VCOM Clinic Director

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