On December 10th, our own Larry Hersh and Adrian Levesque, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding, the progress of recent International Projects. Larry Hersh updated all of us on two Mexican projects. An update for the Guatemalan Nursing/MidWife training project was given by Adrian Levesque.
Larry Hersh updated all of us on two Mexican projects. The first is on the neurological assistance project. A number of clubs have supported the project that has now raised $107K. Dr. Fernando Jasso is the local leader and founder of the project. Our support helped deliver diagnostic equipment that is portable to assist in diagnosis and treatment. The project involves the building and use of a hydroponic greenhouse that raises produce for sale with the proceeds funding the project. We are almost complete with the project and the final report will be finished early next year.
The second Mexican project was to provide support of an area that had recently experienced an earthquake. The project started with the provision of temporary housing via 100 tents. Permanent earthquake resistant housing is being constructed currently. A number of international Rotary clubs are assisting in the project. A pre-fab 3 x 5 meter house is the final structure planned once property ownership and other details are verified prior to construction. To date, donations and matching funds nearly $100K. Each house takes 4-8 hours to build and does have a bathroom. The project should be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2019.
An update for the Guatemalan Nursing/MidWife training project was given by Adrian Levesque. Guatemala remains a very dangerous place to give birth. It is even more dangerous for indigenous Mayan’s who are going to give birth. Many health centers discriminate against the Mayan’s and will often not provide needed care for a safe delivery and recovery. Most children are delivered at home on a dirt floor. Funds were raised by local Nashua area clubs and with matching funds and the project totaled over $72K. The student midwives and graduates from 3 of the schools that we support by funding student travel to seminars and workshops. The diagnostic and treatment services rely on our supplies we provide that help lessen the risk of post–delivery hemorrhage (the most common cause of post delivery death). The roundtable workshops teaching how to test for anemia, abdominal palpation, suturing, stethoscope and blood pressure cuff use and normal baby delivery presentations. These roundtable seminars have been very well received. To get a technical Midwife degree it takes 3 years. To date (between November 2017 – October 2018) the trainees have provided 1511 gynecological exams, 423 deliveries without complications, 320 referrals to hospitals and advocacy at hospitals for 112 patients. No deaths occurred among those seen for deliveries.