On Sunday March 6th, local doctors and nurses, along with affiliates from ‘Friends of Pediatrics Belize’ (FOP) and ‘Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters’ (CHKD) of Virginia USA, coordinated ‘Belize Outreach’ for the fifth consecutive year at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II.
Over the years, physicians from CHKD and pediatricians of FOP have actively volunteered in child-centered care. Their commitment in Belize has directed them to embark upon rural areas as they offer their improved and convenient pediatric medical services. The accessibility of the outreach’s pediatric services had vast numbers of participants from all neighboring communities attending this event. The clinic’s building was full of patients from infants to twenty-one year olds benefiting from an assortment of medical screenings and treatment.
Great parenting skills were portrayed as adults took initial steps at addressing their child’s medical concerns. Many parents expressed their satisfaction with the outreach’s array of support and were also perceptive of doctors’ analyses and recommendations. The pediatric unit provided various forms of services that included free diagnostics such as the checking of blood pressure, glucose, weight and height; a kidney specialist, and an orthopedic surgeon.
A neurologist from CHKD had indicated that following all consultations, the clinic issued basic medications such as antibiotics, multi-vitamins and topical creams. Afterwards, special treats were offered to all ‘the little children of the world.’ Goodies like new toothbrushes, candy, clothes, books, artsy crafts, balls, and stickers were given as a token.
Additionally, World Pediatric Project (WPP), whose motto is “Heal a Child. Change the World,” is committed to aiding children of families who are deprived. Thanks to the WPP, individuals can now take advantage of the availability of services provided to underprivileged families free of cost. “We have surgeons from the United States who perform surgeries to those who have spina bifida, urology conditions and heart defects. We also do facial corrective surgery for those with a cleft lip or palate, and surgeries are performed on the lower abdominal areas and for hernias and tumors. We also assist in making referrals for children to see specialists” said Mayra Singh of FOP.
Pediatricians and volunteers worked around the clock tending to all patients presents, the Belize Outreach 2016 accommodated everyone with quality assistance and was once again, a success.
