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During the first short-term mission
trip that influenced the formation of Mano con Mano Health Reach, over
300 patients were seen in an old school bus used as a mobile clinic.
Two Mexican physicians, a nurse from the U.S., and lay volunteers triaged and treated patients using donated medications. Working in the developing community of Villas del Sol, Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico, patients were treated for parasites, lice, diarrhea, skin infections, and chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. For several years, Mano con Mano took teams of nurses and other medical professionals to Mazatlan to staff week long medical clinics to provide urgent and chronic care for indigent patients. Over a period of time, the focus of Mano con Mano evolved to one of providing screening, health education focused on detection and prevention, and referrals to national health care professionals to provide ongoing care. A crucial part of this ministry is to meet the spiritual and emotional needs of the patients who come seeking care. Every patient passes through a counseling area and is offered the opportunity to hear about Christ, receive information or prayer for their needs. Patients are visited in their homes by pastors and counselors if they wish.
In 2000, a satellite branch of Mano con Mano was formed in Mazatlan to provide year round care of patients who present with medical needs and no means to obtain care. A retired health care administrator evaluates patient's medical and social status and visits the patient in their home. Once a determination of need is made, patients are referred to medical providers for an assessment. Care is provided using a combination of funds donated from the U.S. by supporters of Mano con Mano, donations of supplies and services by Mexican providers and the patient's own resources. Often patients that are encountered during a short-term medical mission trip receive their ongoing care through Mano con Mano-Mazatlan.
We hope to open other satellite ministries in other areas of Latin America in future years. If you would like to donate medications, supplies, monetary support or join us on a medical team, please Contact Us. If you have contacts with medical and pharmaceutical companies who might be interested in our ministry, please share our website with them. ©
2007 - Mano con Mano Health Reach - All rights reserved
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