Medical team hikes into mountains to care for children

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Medical team hikes into mountains to care for children



An Air Force physician's assistant conducts a physical examination of an 18-month old boy in the remote village of Marcala, Honduras. A team of 16 medical workers and dieticians traveled there from the United States to take part in a pediatric nutrition medical readiness training exercise, screening children and mothers for anemia and educating them on nutrition. The team partnered with specialists from the Honduran Ministry of Health and the medical element of Joint Task Force-Bravo, based at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Mike Hammond)






by Tech. Sgt. Mike Hammond
Joint Task Force-Bravo Public Affairs
2/9/2009 - MARCALA, Honduras (AFNS) -- During a two-week exercise in early February, a team of 16 medical doctors, nurse practitioners, dietitians and medical students conducted pediatric nutrition evaluations for families without the means or access to regular medical care in the remote mountains near Marcala, Honduras.

The team included representatives from the Air Force, Army, Navy and South Dakota State University. The primitive-duty conditions were a sharp contrast to the traditional medical and academic environments in which the team usually performs. Many patients the team treated faced health challenges not commonly seen in the United States, and were not used to receiving medical care.

After riding in a convoy of tactical vehicles over nearly impassable dirt roadways for more than 45 minutes, the group split into four teams to hike into the mountains. The terrain provided a constant challenge to navigate, ranging in elevation between 4,000 - 6,000 feet to get to those who needed their assistance.

"We collect demographic information, immunization history and provide nutritional training and education," said Navy Cmdr. Sandra Hearn, a pediatric nurse practitioner assigned to Portsmouth Navy Hospital in Massachusetts. "We also enroll women of child-bearing age in the Sprinkles Study for Women, where participants receive small packets of micronutrients to sprinkle in their food daily."

The Sprinkles Study is one of the requests by specialists with the Honduran Ministry of Health to determine an acceptable micronutrient supplement containing folic acid and iron specifically for women of child-bearing age, according to Teri Kemmer, a dietitian with South Dakota State University, who has been involved with the study since its inception in 2001.

"During return visits, the U.S. team will report results of the ongoing nutritional study to the Honduran Ministry of Health," Ms. Kemmer said.

Each destination the teams reached provided a sobering glimpse of life in rural Honduras. Large families of six or more children inhabited homes scarcely bigger than a spare bedroom in a typical U.S. household, and without plumbing or electricity. Small children were initially scared at the sight of uniformed strangers coming to their houses. Their fear quickly turned to curiosity after some tender words of comfort and assurance from Spanish-speaking members of the team.

While some of the medics spoke with parents to educate them on types of locally available food high in iron and nutrients, others examined the children.

In addition to taking height and weight measurements of the children, the medics tested blood samples to screen for anemia. If anemia was detected, iron treatment was provided and follow-up appointments scheduled for when the team returns in four months. The team also dispensed medication to combat parasitic worms to all within the families before departing.



U.S. Navy Cmdr. Sandra Hearn administers a blood test to screen for anemia for a local mother living in the remote village of Marcala, Honduras. Commander Hearn was one of 16 Americans who traveled here from the United States to take part in a pediatric nutrition medical readiness training exercise, screening children and mothers for anemia and educating them on nutrition. The team partnered with specialists from the Honduran Ministry of Health and the medical element of Joint Task Force-Bravo, based at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Mike Hammond)



U.S. Army Sgt. Onika Hendricks discusses a variety of locally available foods known to be high in iron and other essential nutrients with a mother living in the remote village of Marcala, Honduras. A team of 16 medical workers and dieticians traveled there from the United States to take part in a pediatric nutrition medical readiness training exercise. The team partnered with specialists from the Honduran Ministry of Health and the medical element of Joint Task Force-Bravo, based at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Mike Hammond)



A member of the U.S. military medical readiness and training exercise team visiting the remote village of Marcala, Honduras, holds a packet of micronutrients. The team provided these packets to women of child-bearing age to help specialists with the Honduran Ministry of Health determine the health benefits of including the nutrients in the women's diets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Mike Hammond)



Members of the pediatric nutrition team participating in a U.S. medical readiness training exercise visit the home of a family of eight in the remote village of Marcala, Honduras. Many local residents in the mountains live without electric power or indoor plumbing, and do not have routine access to medical care. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Mike Hammond



U.S. Army Sgt. Onika Hendricks, a member of a pediatric nutrition team, hikes back toward the rally point after visiting several homes in the remote village of Marcala, Honduras, to screen mothers and children for nutritional and dietary health. A team of 16 medical workers and dieticians traveled there from the United States to take part in a pediatric nutrition medical readiness training exercise. The team partnered with specialists from the Honduran Ministry of Health and the medical element of Joint Task Force-Bravo, based at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Mike Hammond)



A team of 16 medical workers and dieticians traveled by tactical vehicle convoy into the remote mountains of Honduras to take part in a pediatric nutrition medical readiness training exercise. The U.S.-based team screened children and mothers for anemia and educated them on ways to improve and maintain nutrition. The team partnered with specialists from the Honduran Ministry of Health and the medical element of Joint Task Force-Bravo, based at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Mike Hammond see at website)

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