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Utila Community Clinic - Donor Advisory

The following information (last updated 23-April-2007) is provided to assist potential donors (or those collecting donations) with some guidance as how to better satisfy the current needs of the Utila Community Clinic. While we have attempted to provide this guidance in form that can be understood by those without medical qualifications or experience, inevitably some items will only be recognizable to those with a medical background. If clarification is required, please do not hesitate to contact us at Email: UtilaClinic@yahoo.com

*For Canadian Tourists planning to visit Utila, there is a Canadian Organization named "Not Just Tourists" who can supply you with donated medical supplies and even a suitcase to bring them in. Please visit their web site www.njttoronto.ca for more details.

Background Info

The Utila Community Clinic is based on the island of Utila, off the northern coast of Honduras. It is staffed by Dr John McVay (USA Citizen - licensed to practice in Ohio and Florida), myself and a receptionist. The Clinic is open 5 days a week, but the Doctor is effectively on call-out 24 x 7. We see about 10-15 patients per day. Everything from emergency/trauma to diabetic/hypertension maintenance. The Clinic is run on a not-for-profit basis, serving a local island community of some 2,500 people plus an itinerant tourist population. We charge the local currency equivalent of around $US 8.00 for an initial consultation, $US 5.00 for follow-up. Medications are purchased from mainland Honduras and dispensed with a 30% mark-up. We treat patients without regard to their ability to pay, but suffer from non-payment of bills by about 20-25% of the local population who are too poor to pay.

Medications

While the Utila Community Clinic will most gratefully accept most medications;

  1. the medications should be in their original packaging or can be identified from a 2002, 2004 or 2005 Physicians Desk Reference - we cannot use medications if there is any doubt over what they are, what dose they are, or when they expire(d),
  2. the medications should be unexpired - the local people are highly suspicious of expired medications and are unlikely to take them. The Doctor also prefers not to prescribe most types of expired medications since one can never be sure of their efficacy. We do occasionally dispense certain types of expired medications and under certain conditions - mostly when we can be confident the medication has not significantly lost potency and/or the patient is too poor to buy the medication or a generic alternative,
  3. there is sufficient quantity of the medication or we can locally purchase more of the same/similar - there is little point in prescribing medications if there is insufficient quantity to provide/maintain the indicated dosage. Occasionally we keep small quantities of maintenance medications as a "stop gap" for tourists or locals who have run out of their medications and are awaiting a delivery from the mainland.

The medications we commonly use are;

  1. Analgesic (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories) - diclofenac, naproxen, meloxicam
  2. Analgesic (other) - acetaminophen
  3. Anesthesia (local) - lidocaine 1% and 2% (without epinephrine) multi-dose vials for injection
  4. Antimicrobial - all types
  5. Cardiovascular (anti-dysrhythmics) - digoxin, epinephrine
  6. Cardiovascular (anti-hyperlipidemic agents) - atorvastatin, simvastatin
  7. Cardiovascular (anti-hypertensives) - all types
  8. Cardiovascular (nitrates) - nitroglycerin sublingual
  9. Cardiovascular (pressors) - epinephrine
  10. Dermatology - all types - topical
  11. Endocrine/Metabolic (corticosteriods) - all types
  12. Endocrine/Metabolic (diabetes) - all types
  13. ENT (antihistamines) - all types
  14. ENT (decongestants) - pseudoephedrine
  15. ENT (Ear antibiotics) - products containing ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin - ear drops
  16. ENT (Nose) - all types
  17. Gastroenterology - all types
  18. Ophthalmology - all types - eye drops
  19. Pulmonary - all types - inhaled
Supplies

We will gratefully accept ALL types of medical supplies, especially quality sterile bandages and dressings. For example, it is difficult, if not impossible, to purchase certain types of quality conforming roller gauze in Honduras. We are not concerned about expiry dates for medical supplies. We can use everything that would be normally found in a Doctors surgery. We do NOT have a need for needles and syringes, since these are easily purchased locally. In no particular order, we have an urgent need for;

  1. Sutures: Type: Ethilon® (nylon monofilament) Size(s): 4.0, 5.0 & 6.0
  2. Sutures: Type: Vicryl® (polyglycolic acid - undyed braided) Size(s): 4.0, 5.0 & 6.0
  3. Sutures: Type: Prolene® – (Polypropylene – Blue Monofilament) Size(s): 4.0, 5.0 & 6.0
  4. Sterile conforming roller gauze - Kerlix® - 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 inch widths
  5. Tincture of Benzoin (ideally in spray can)
  6. I.V. infusion sets Luer lock - 10, 20 and 60 drops per ml, ideally with long tubing and at least 1 injection site
  7. High concentration non-rebreather adult oxygen mask(s)
  8. Nebulizer mask(s) - neo-natal/small infant
  9. Examination gloves (non-sterile) - size large
  10. Surgical gloves (sterile) - size 8
  11. Anti-embolism stockings (knee & thigh length)
  12. Hemocult Test cards & developer
  13. Penrose Drains - size 1/4 inch
  14. Urinary Catheter Tray(s) - size Adult Male
  15. Iodoform packing gauze 1/4 inch (sterile)
  16. Ear Curettes – Round / Loop / Spoon – Disposable
  17. Arm slings - adult, child, universal
  18. Wrist Splint – Small / Medium / Large – Right / Left
  19. Finger Splints - Foam/Aluminum - ½ / ¾ / 1 inch
  20. Knee Immobilizer – 12 / 16 / 20 / 24 inch
  21. Heel Cup
  22. Casting Material – Plaster & Fiberglass – 2 / 3 / 4 Inch
  23. Under Cast - cotton padding – 2 / 3 / 4 / 6 inch
  24. Tube Gauze - elasticated
  25. Body Bags - Adult
Medical Equipment

We will gratefully accept most types of medical equipment, instruments and medical furniture. We do not need equipment and instruments for major surgery or procedures normally done under general anesthesia. We cannot use equipment that is not functioning (we have no repair capabilities) or equipment that requires special supplies not obtainable in Honduras. In no particular order, we have an urgent need for;

  1. Batteries - Heartstream ForeRunner® AED
  2. Batteries - Lithium coin-sized Part No CR2032
  3. Cobalt Blue Penlight
  4. Batteries - Welch Allyn® 3.5V NiCAD - Part No WA 72200
  5. Welch Allyn® desktop handle re-charger for 3.5V NiCAD battery handles or Welch Allyn® 3.5v Convertible Power Handle
  6. Welch Allyn® Lamps - for Otoscope/Transluminator Part No 03100
  7. Welch Allyn® Lamps - for Opthalmoscope Part No's 03000 and 04900
  8. Welch Allyn® Lamps - for Headlight Part No 02500
  9. Nelcor Puritan Bennet® - reusable Adult Oxygen Sensor (Durasensor Oximax) Part No DS-100A
  10. Cast Spreader
  11. Conmed® Hyfrecator 2000 or Aaron Bovie® 950 with associated accessories and supplies
  12. Portable patient monitor (non-invasive BP, Pulse, 3 lead ECG, SPO2)
  13. Wheelchairs
  14. Extraction Collar(s) - Adult - ideally adjustable to fit all adult sizes
  15. Extrication Collar(s) - Child - ideally adjustable to fit all child sizes
  16. Respiratory Peak Flow Meter
  17. Home use (AC powered) Oxygen Concentrator(s)
  18. Nebulizer (AC powered) compressor
  19. Dermal Curettes - surgical instrument
  20. Dermal Biopsy Punches - surgical instrument
  21. Ring Cutter - instrument
  22. Otic Curettes - plastic
  23. Oxygen Demand Valve Resuscitator with 6 foot hose
  24. Autoclave - thermal/steam sterilization equipment
  25. "Egg-crate" mattress(es) for bed-ridden patients
Reference Books

We can always use current reference books. The latest editions of Physicians Desk Reference, Nursing Drug Handbook, Conn's Current Therapy, and the Merck Manual are particularly useful.

Office Equipment
  1. Photocopier - (capable of 20-30 copies per day)
Shipping

If you are planning to bring medical supplies with you to Utila, then it is recommended;

  1. you pack the supplies together to avoid any issues at customs,
  2. include a covering letter with the supplies stating that they are donated and not intended for resale. We can supply you with such a letter if needed,
  3. contact your airline before leaving to tell them you are intending to bring donated medical supplies with you. Most airlines allow passengers to carry extra humanitarian aid in addition to the standard weight allowance at no extra charge . Travelers are advised to contact their airline in advance to confirm this policy.

If you are planning to ship medical supplies to Utila from the USA, then;

  1. for small quantities we would recommend regular US mail (not UPS or FedEx). We would also recommend that the contents of the box are enclosed in a plastic garbage bag or similar to protect from rain. (It is not uncommon for boxes to be exposed to the elements during transfers within Honduras),
  2. for larger shipments (multiple boxes) we can recommend General Cargo Services 200 Crofton Rd. Bldg 9-C Kenner Louisiana 70062 - Contact Mr Omar Zelaya - and please contact us beforehand so that we can arrange to send you a cover letter from the Municipality of Utila to accompany the shipment through customs. 2006 prices for large shipments are around $US 0.65 per pound.
  3. for even larger shipments please contact us at Email: UtilaClinic@yahoo.com for shipping details.

I hope this helps and I thank you for any assistance you can provide.

Please do not hesitate to ask any questions.

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