Preparing for a Medical Missions Trip:
- Copies of all medical personnel’s licenses (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, ophthalmologist, optometrist, EMT, paramedic, and any others) must be sent to OEM no less than one month before the team’s arrival date. It must be a current license and can be scanned and emailed to openeyesministriesca@gmail.com. Be sure and bring them with you, also.
- All medicines should be brought from the U.S. There are several companies which will provide medicines free or at a low cost. These companies include: Blessings International, Brother’s Brother, Map.org. There are others available and you can use whomever or however many you choose. Please note the list following this note of especially needed medicines.
- At least one month before your arrival, please send by e-mail the list of all medications you will be bringing with you including the name, mgs, quantity, and the expiration date, as well as a list of all people on the team. The medications must have expiration dates more than six months into the future.
- The Health Department may ask us to have a Honduran doctor working with us; we do not know the actual charge for this but will be able to let you know before teams leave the U.S.
- When you arrive at the airport, please have copies of all medical licenses, and the list of medicines as stated in #3.
- Also include a list of medicines located in each suitcase on top, inside of the suitcase and one with the information you have with all other data i.e. suitcase #1 list of medicines in the suitcase and have a list in your folder.
- DO NOT remove medicines from their original containers. Do not prepackage in plastic bags, etc. They must be in their original containers!
- OEM has forms to fill out for the patients with blood pressure, symptoms, etc., and a place to add prescriptions and treatments.
- OEM has small plastic bags which tie to package each person’s medications in and sometimes small empty bottles in which to divide any liquid medications. You are welcome to bring large Ziploc bags. Please order the small plastic bags to divide the medications into or buy at your local pharmacy and also empty bottles to pour the liquid medications.
- Clinics normally start at 9 AM. Patients are registered by the church people, blood pressure are taken usually by a member of the team, approximately 12-15 people are evangelized, (names and addresses are taken of those who accept Christ and given to the local church), afterwards they will see the doctor, and then go to the pharmacy to have prescriptions filled.
- Please bring prescription labels with the following information to place on each medication. Need at least: 1000 ea. A. Tomar ___ pastilla cada ___ horas Take ___ pill every ___ hours Tos/ Gripe/ Fiebre/ Dolor/ Allergia/ Infeccion Cough/ Cold/ Fever/ Pain/ Allergy/ Infection
- 1000 ea. B. Masticar _1_ pastille diaria con comida- Vitaminas para ninos Chew _1_ pill everyday with food- Childrens vitamins
- 1000 ea. C. Masticar _1_ pastilla diaria- Parasitos Chew _1_ pill everyday- parasites
- 1000 ea. D. Tomar 1 pastilla diaria con comida- Vitaminas para adultos Take 1 pill everyday with food- adult vitamins
- 500 ea. E. Tomar ___ cc o cucharadita cada ___ horas Take ___ cc or teaspoon every ___ hours Tos/ Gripe/ Fiebre/ Dolor/ Allergia/ Infeccion Cough/ Cold/ Fever/ Pain/ Allergy/ Infection
- 250 ea. F. Poner ___ gotas en ___ ojos o oidos ___ veces al dia Put ___ drops in ____ eyes or ears ___ times a day Allergia/ Allergy Infeccion/ Infection
- Please bring a box of blank labels as well to make other labels as needed.
- Medicines will be prepackaged on the day of arrival or the day before the clinic starts.
- Scrubs can be worn for the medical clinic, as well as capris for women and walking shorts for men.
- Medical personal should bring stethoscope and ophthalmoscope/otoscope.
- Other needs include hand sanitizer, ink pens, sharpies, large examination gloves, BP cuff and a few thermometers, glucometer with extra testing strips.
- Many medicines can be bought over the counter in Central America, but vitamins and antibiotics can be very expensive and chewable vitamins for children almost nonexistant. Albendazole for parasites is much cheaper in Central America. Many teams bring extra money to replenish any needed medication.
List of medications needed:
- Children’s chewable and liquid vitamins (these are very expensive in Central America)
- Adult Vitamins (are very expensive in Central America)
- Pre-natal Vitamins (are very expensive in Central America)
- Ferrous Sulfate
- Antihypertensive
- Cough/cold
- Allergy (including Benadryl)
- Ibuprofen for adult/children/infant
- Tylenol: adult/children/infant
- Antibiotics (p.o. and liquid: URI, UTI, skin)
- Antifungal cream: finger/toenail, feet, vaginal
- Parasite medication
- Eye drops (mainly liquid tears)
- Allergy/infection
- ear drops: pain/infection
- Sunscreen
- Lotion/creams (dry skin)
- Acne
- Vaginal creams (infection/itching)
- Scabies/lice
- Shampoo for dandruff
- Diabetes
- Cough drops/ sore throat lozenges
- Toothpaste/ toothbrushes
- Sunglasses and reading glasses
- Any other medications and supplies you have available. (gloves in S, M, L)
If you have any questions, please contact Pamela at openeyesministriesca@gmail.com.