CHEYENNE, Wyo. - More than 40 members of the 153rd Medical Group from the Wyoming Air National Guard recently returned from Guatemala, where they provided medical care for about 7,000 residents.
Care was provided at three sites in the Jalapa District of Guatemala: Chaguite, San Manuel Chaparron and San Pedro Pinula. At all three sites, patients were seen for many different reasons.
"Fortunately, there were very few acutely ill patients and most of the conditions were treatable," said Capt. Kevin Schrank, a physician assistant with the 153rd.
About 2,500 adults and 1,700 pediatric patients were treated, and more than 6,500 prescriptions were dispensed. Some very common complaints were headaches, fever, gastric problems and skin conditions, and patients were educated on ways to prevent their symptoms from reoccurring.
"It was evident that access to health care was poor," said Chief Master Sgt. Kristin Maurer, the 153rd's senior health technician.
Through a mandatory public health briefing, the local communities were provided with an invaluable lesson -- the importance of hand washing as a tool for disease prevention. The briefing developed a little more each day to include important issues that were seen among the patients.
At San Pedro Pinula, Wyoming Air Guard personnel gained support from the local physician and nursing staff in delivering this briefing, along with preventative medicine brochures that were provided to all seeking care. These are effective tools that will provide long-term sustainment and education on basic health necessities.
Three dentists, including one Guatemalan, and several support staff saw more than 875 patients and extracted well over 2,000 teeth. The population's dental care was extremely lacking because of poor nutrition and a lack of understanding of the importance of dental hygiene. Patients were provided with toothbrushes for themselves and their family members.
The optometry clinic had over 1,600 patients and dispensed 1,400 pairs of glasses.
"Patients' faces lit up when they were able to see better, and then they would quickly take the glasses off because their clear vision was so new to them," said Tech. Sgt. Sarah Fry, an optometry technician with the 153rd.
Common issues were cataracts and pterigium, which is an abnormal growth of the mucous membrane of the eye caused by exposure to bright sunlight, wind and dust. The optometry clinic educated patients on the importance of wearing sunglasses, hats and protective eyewear.
The Wyoming medical personnel also worked with the local communities to promote cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). At Chaguite, community leaders and school teachers were taught the Heimlich maneuver, basic wound management and CPR.
"One participant spoke of an incident in which she had a heart attack and no one knew how to help. She said she was happy now that she knows there are others who can help, and that she could now teach others in her community," said Tech. Sgt. Patrick Cunningham, a 153rd health technician.
At San Pedro Pinula, the class was taught to the local nursing staff. Participants there had some background knowledge, so the 153rd donated a training manikin to assist them in sharing their knowledge with others in the community. All three sites also received dozens of sterile bandages to be used to treat wounds.
"Individuals who participated were very grateful for the training and the "˜diplomas' they received," Cunningham said.
Although the amount of time that was spent in Guatemala was short, "the impact felt by all will have positive, long lasting effects," Maurer said. "The members of the 153d Medical Group and 153rd Airlift Wing, collectively with the Guatemalan military, demonstrated how two foreign militaries can successfully work together to benefit each other."