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| Main entrance on Calle #1 |
Finally, the new Hospital Comunitario de Isla
Mujeres is in operation. The hospital construction
project was started during the administration of Presidente Alicia Rincaldi and
languished from lack of funding through the administration of Presidente Hugo
Sanchez, coming to completion under Presidente Agapito Magaña.
It’s a beautiful facility located on the
corner of Rueda Medina and Calle Paseo de los Peces, across from the large
palapa entrance to the Hacienda Mundaca historical park.
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| Doctor Zapata & Jorge Avila |
Our friend, Jorge Avila, who is the Coordinador de
Sanidad Internacional for Isla Mujeres, met us at the entrance and introduced
us to the Hospital Director, Doctor Zapata. Doctor Zapata is an orthopaedist and also specializes in trauma injuries. It’s good to know he’s available to assist with
life-threatening problems.
As we started our tour of the hospital, Jorge
explained that we were allowed to take photos inside, only today, as the final
installation of equipment and the sterilization of the operating suites were taking place, and many of the areas would soon be off-limits to the public. Even so, we didn’t take photos of the
patients as we didn’t want to infringe on their privacy.
There are ninety-five people employed by the
hospital; three doctors in general admissions, and two doctors in the emergency
area. The hospital has its own
pharmacia, (pharmacy) a vaccination room, and a place for island children under
the age of twelve to receive free monthly check-ups and vitamin milk. There are also new X-ray and ultrasound
laboratories. |
| X-Ray room |
A new hyperbaric chamber is due to be delivered soon
to facilitate treatment for a variety of problems. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) squeezes the oxygen
molecules to allow more oxygen to enter the bloodstream and increases the
healing ability of the body. It is used
to treat deep water decompression
sickness, the complications of diabetes, radiation treatment burns, and broken
bones that are not healing properly. The
existing hyperbaric chamber in Centro is funded by the fishing cooperative and
will remain available for the fishermen’s use.
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| Surgery |
Another interesting bit of information we learned is
that restaurant workers must be tested every six months for hepatitis and
salmonella.
The hospital has a separate
lab with its own entrance to accommodate the huge number of islanders involved
in the restaurant industry.
On the
second floor of the facility are several private and semi-private rooms for
recuperating patients, as well as the administration offices, and segregated
dormitory rooms for future employees.
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| Delivery room for babies |
The maternity area was most impressive, with the
delivery room, recovery room, and a separate area for newborns. I can’t begin to name all the fancy equipment
and machines that we saw, but they certainly looked important.
The hospital is air-conditioned, so perhaps the normal rust and corrosion problems that are common here on Isla
won’t be such a challenge. At our house, anything electronic has a very short life span.
As for what additional equipment they need, Jorge
said he is coordinating requests with the Seniors and Friends of Isla, a group
made up primarily of expats who have been coming to Isla for many, many
years. Jorge mentioned the need for good-quality type-three cardiac stethoscopes. On average, a stethoscope only lasts a few months due to salt, humidity and corrosion. Just an idea, if you are looking for a way to contribute to the community.
Fingers crossed, Lawrie and I won’t need to personally
check the quality of emergency care at the new hospital, but it is reassuring to
know that we have a beautiful, new facility just a few minutes away.
Hasta Luego, Lynda, Lawrie, Sparky, and Thomas
Or
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