Clinics

To address the great need for quality, affordable health care for impoverished indigenous Guatemalan communities, Mission Guatemala opened a medical clinic in the fall of 2010 and adental clinic in the spring of 2011.  Both clinics are housed on Mission Guatemala’s mission site in San Andres Semetabaj.

Most of these clients, whom are 98% indigenous Maya people, would not receive any medical  treatment if the clinic were not in service.  Though there are  public clinics,  the people Mission Guatemala serves are not able to pay for medicine prescribed or medical testing. In addition, they report receiving inattentive and inadequate care  at public health centers, which are under-staffed, overwhelmed by patients, and often discriminatory toward indigenous people due to lingering racial and social issues. While Mission Guatemala reaches out to all Guatemalans in need, it is the indigenous Maya people who receive the majority of the services as they suffer most from the effects of crippling poverty.

The San Andres clinic is open Monday through Friday and the doctors and staff speak Spanish, Kakchiquel and Quiche which allows more effective and respectful communication. Clients pay a small, reduced fee of less than $4 for an examination, treatment and any needed medicines. The remaining cost of their care is subsidized through donations to Mission Guatemala. No one is denied access to the doctor due to lack of funds. The clinic does provide referrals for serious conditions, and as many patients do not have the money for transportation to and from hospitals that are far from their villages, the clinic arranges for the volunteer fire department to transport  them.

The dental clinic is also open from Monday through Friday and is in high demand. The dentist helps alleviate the tremendous dental issues faced by the indigenous Guatemalan population which often can lead to more serious health issues. Because most children do not receive fluoride, nor have adequate diets with the necessary vitamins and minerals for healthy gums and teeth, tooth decay, tooth  loss, and infection are all very common. These issues may seem minor, but  these infections can lead to more serious health issues for patients. The clinic dentist teaches proper dental hygiene  and provides  access to necessary vitamins that children and adults need.