Finally, it’s open!

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. 

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.

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. 

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

Isla Mujeres Mystery Series

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Helping the helpers, Seniors and Friends of Isla Mujeres

Andy St. Pierre arriving with equipment

"It's a simple story," said one of the founding members of the Seniors and Friends of Isla Mujeres, "it's a story about friends helping friends. We love the island and we have a warm spot in our hearts for the people who make us feel so welcome here." 

Last year, an elderly visitor needed a wheelchair.  It quickly became obvious to the family members how difficult it was to find the equipment on Isla Mujeres. Through Dra. Tere Gómez at the Secretaría de Salud de Quintana Roo, the hospital near the original Super-X-Press store, they were able to find a wheelchair to use for the interim. 

Gary, Bonnie, MaryBeth, Denis and Andy

Several of the original members of the Seniors and Friends of Isla Mujeres are foreigners, winter residents, staying at the Maria Leticia Apartments located on Juarez Avenue; however, recently, many other residents and tourists have joined the fundraising efforts. Once the group of friends started talking about the problem, several people willingly donated money to purchase equipment. Then the group made arrangements to give the articles to the staff at the hospital and the Club de Gente Grande (Seniors' Centre). They invited me along for the presentation. I arrived at the downtown clinic just as they were unloading a golf cart, stacked with four wheelchairs, two sets of crutches and two walkers. Impressive!

Checking the "wish list" with Jorge Avila

Inside the hospital, we were directed into a small meeting room at the back, where the medical personnel were assembling.  

As we waited for everyone to cram into the room, long-time resident Jorge Avila discussed the doctors' "wish list" with Gary Van Lankvelt, Denis St. Pierre, and Andy St. Pierre.  The list of urgently needed items totalled $15,000 pesos or around $1200.00 US.  

The "wish list" includes a fetal Doppler monitor, a handheld ECG/EKG cardiac monitor, a cardiology stethoscope, an otoscope and ophthalmoscope kit, and oximeters.

Dr. David Valenzo Loaeza thanking the group 

Dr. David Valenzo Loaeza, Director, and Dra.Tere Gómez, Vice-Director of the Hospital, was very pleased to be the recipient of this generous donation. The speeches were in Spanish, but Jorge Avila was able to translate their appreciation to those of us who are still Spanish-challenged.  At the end of the presentation, Dr. Valenzo asked if we would like a tour of the almost-completed new hospital, situated near the Hacienda Mundaca park. Sure!  We headed off to the facility in a mini-cavalcade of vehicles. Once inside the hospital, we were asked not to take photographs, not until the official opening day sometime later this year.  

Seniors and Friends, with Doctora Tere Gomez

Located on the main floor is a large emergency ward, a comfortable waiting area, several surgery suites, and laboratories.  

On the second floor, accessible by elevator, escalator, or stairs, are beds for twenty-five patients, and an isolation ward for critical cases - about three times the capacity of the current hospital.  

The new facility is in need of more equipment and more staff.  At the present time, there are only three doctors available to cover the shifts 24 hours a day, three hundred and sixty-five days a year.  It's an impossible situation.

View from the roof of the new hospital

Dr. Valenzo also recited a few interesting statistics.  Five years ago, the hospital doctors wrote about 2000 prescriptions per year.  Now, with the increase in full-time residents, part-time residents and tourists, the doctors are writing around 40,000 prescriptions per year; 9000 of those prescriptions are for visiting foreigners. That statistic alone is reason enough for foreign residents and visitors to become involved with helping equip the hospitals.

As one of the members said, "The Seniors and Friends of Isla Mujeres are looking at this as just the beginning of a long-term project.  We are planning to continue to raise funds and further develop a close working relationship with the local hospital and medical community, as well as the community in general."  

 At some point in our lives, we all probably will require medical assistance in one form or another. It would be great if the assistance were readily available on the island. 

Get involved with your community. 
Hasta luego
Lynda, Lawrie, Thomas, Sparky, Chica

Murder. Mayhem. Revenge. Romance.

Isla Mujeres Mystery Series

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The Adventures of Thomas and Sparky