"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day.
Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."
Since Mission Honduras is a Christ-centered organization, we seek to serve the poor by helping them in a way that affirms their personal dignity as human beings created in the image of God. Thus, our priority is to encourage the people to improve their lives without becoming dependent on temporary remedies. While we recognize that in many instances the immediate need of an individual person may be great, we promote actions that will ultimately contribute to their long-term physical and spiritual well-being. Unfortunately, many Hondurans see U.S. doctors and medical personnel as miracle healers who will permanently solve their health problems in one visit. Keeping in mind the Mission statement, the greatest long-term benefit that can be offered is patient education - especially regarding basic sanitary practices that most of us take for granted.
The health care that we provide is based on the model of the Divine Physician, Jesus Christ. This means that the medical miracles we provide should not be devoid of their spiritual significance. More important than the actual physical healing that our patients receive is the love of God expressed to them through our compassion and humble service. If they see the work of God's love in our actions, their human dignity will be affirmed in a way that gives them what they most lack.
Priority and Fee Policy
The Mission Honduras Health Clinic exists primarily to serve the children, residents, volunteers, and employees of the APUFRAM organization of orphanages, homes, and schools. The doctor, Dr. Ramon Fuentes, is a product of the APUFRAM system. When sufficient medical personnel and resources are available, the clinic may be opened to serve people from the surrounding towns and villages. When this occurs, we have a great opportunity to reach out in educating the people to better care for their health. The administrative offices of APUFRAM need permission from the Health Department of Honduras to let North American doctors treat people outside of the Mission. In order to get the necessary clearance, all medical personnel interested in treating people from the outlying villages need to fax their medical licenses, copies of their diploma, and copies of their passport NO LESS than 1 MONTH in advance. Also, due to the limited number of long-term US volunteers, Mission Honduras cannot provide a translator for medical outreach projects serving the local community. In order to preserve a sense of personal dignity and worth among our patients, we ask that a nominal fee be charged for each consultation: five Lempiras (35 cents US) for adults and three Lempiras 21cents US) for children. If any medicine is given, another three Lempiras should be charged. However, on an individual basis, we will not deny care or medicine to anyone in need, even if they cannot afford the nominal fee. (The money collected will go to the general upkeep of the Mission Honduras Clinic.)
Contraception Policy
Perhaps the greatest challenge for Catholic medical professionals is the Church's teaching regarding artificial forms of birth regulation. However, upholding the Church's teaching of human dignity and the true value of sexuality is a non-negotiable standard of Mission Honduras.
Contrary to popular belief, rather than an outdated prohibition, God's law regarding artificial contraception is actually a modern day invitation to enjoy the most meaningful and liberating expression of love between husband and wife. Such an authentic expression of marital love can only exist when it is free of the anxiety and spiritual oppression characteristic of the contraceptive mentality.
Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Policy
Sadly, STD's are as much a problem in Honduras as other parts of the world. These patients deserve the best treatment we can provide to treat and cure, when possible, their afflictions. However, in the spirit of our mission, the greatest long-term benefit that we can provide is the liberating message of chastity based on a true understanding of man's human dignity. Therefore, patient education that upholds the value of human sexuality and the need to protect it from abuse is greatly needed. This can be done one on one or in group settings, both of which can be supplemented with appropriate brochures that only promote abstinence outside of marriage. (Remember also that only Spanish materials are appropriate for distribution.)
Patient education brochures that suggest contraception as a means of preventing STD are misleading and send a conflicting message. Being a Catholic mission, we cannot compromise the truth by distributing materials that endorse contraception-even though they many be very informative otherwise.
Natural Family Planning
Perhaps one of the greatest needs in the world today for married couples is proper education regarding natural family planning (NFP). Such noble work promotes human dignity by providing a morally acceptable means for parents to avoid pregnancy when appropriate, such as may be necessary to financially provide for other children. Thus, you are highly encouraged to teach this beautiful art and to distribute supplementary materials. (Again Spanish translations are ideal, but English copies could still be used to teach bilingual volunteers.)
Personal Hygiene
As stated earlier, this is an area in which we could provide much assistance. However, there are some cultural values that, while not being unhealthy, deserve to be respected. For example, women's hygiene practices tend to be more modest and less invasive. Generally speaking Honduran women do not use tampons or douches. Additionally, Honduran medical professionals will refrain from performing a pelvic exam on a virgin, unless it is truly a medical necessity. These standards uphold great respect for a woman's body and we would do well by respecting them and even adopting them to our own culture.
Medicine and Donation Policy
The general guidelines for Mission Honduras also apply to patients treated at the clinic. For this reason, non-medicinal products may not be given out to patients who are not residents or employees of APUFRAM (Mission Honduras). When medications are distributed to patients, please put the pills in a bag or box labeled in Spanish with the directions. Out of sensitivity, we do not want to give the impression of giving our patients medicine that is useless because the expiration date has passed. (We depend on the individual doctor's judgment regarding the use of any expired mediations.)
Since hygiene products such as soap and toothpaste are consumed in great quantities among the children and residents served within APUFRAM, donations of these items should only be internal. Vitamins also fall under this category since the children under the care of APUFRAM are given vitamins on a regular basis. (The children 's vitamins should not be given directly to the children since they are already distributed by their care-givers.) Prenatal vitamins for pregnant women are of sufficient importance as to be considered medicine; however, we ask that each of these women be given a sufficient quantity to last the duration of the pregnancy. We also understand that some patients may be malnourished and in serious need of vitamin supplements. Otherwise, vitamin supplements should be avoided to uphold the purpose of seeking ways to promote their long-term health using the foods and products easily available to the local people. Other gifts, such as clothing, candy, and toys fall under the general mission guidelines and may not be given out. (Clothing and school supplies are always accepted through the general donation process, whereby the persons overseeing the care of the children will distribute them.)
In regards to medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, it should be noted that the Mission Honduras Clinic is currently staffed to provide year-round health care by an M.D., Dr. Ramon Fuentes. Please be sure to check with the mission's needs list for the most current list of needed supplies provided by the doctor.
We thank you for generously responding to God’s call to serve the poor. When planning your trip, please contact the State-side Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@missionhonduras.com for an updated status on the supplies needed and resources available. May our Lord bless you and guide you in your preparation for this most beautiful work.
Advice on Bringing Medications and Medical Supplies:
There are a few things to do with medical supplies, which are easy but tedious.
1) Everything needs to be logged and categorized in a list:
● name of drug dose
● lot number
● number or quantity
● expiration date of drug (please be sure that no expiration date is less than two months after your return from Honduras)
2) Make photocopies of this documentation.
3) Call the closest Honduran Consulate and tell them that you need a letter granting permission for you (the doctor) to bring these medications into Honduras. They will need the list and the request in writing (with a self-addressed stamped envelope). The other information needed by the Honduran Consulate is:
● Team name
● Purpose of trip (missionary trip)
● Physician's and Team Leader's names
● Anticipated use of medications (to serve x number of patients in rural areas -- all medications are free donations)
● Lead physician's or nurse's license number, the state of license, and the expiration date or a copy of the license
● Name of doctor in Honduras who will control the medications after team leaves
Dr. Ramon Fuentes
Fr. Emil Cook
APUFRAM/Mission Honduras
Las Flores, Comayagua, Honduras
Please allow four weeks to process your request. You may need to call to check on the progress of your request. You will receive a letter for the customs agent and copies of the lists with an official stamp. You should log what's in each suitcase before going to the airport. Mark the suitcases “APUFRAM, Flores, Honduras”. It is helpful if you have a Spanish speaking person phone the consulate.
4) At customs you gather your suitcases and hand the customs people the customs papers at the checkout. They typically do not open the suitcases.
Doctors can call me with questions through doctors@missionhonduras.com.