Medical team hikes into mountains to care for children

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mike Hammond
  • Joint Task Force-Bravo Public Affairs
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.

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