Thursday- - Our first stop was Hospital Roosevelt. It is a public 1000 bed hospital - the largest in Central America. We were met by a USAID rep and learned a bit about the health care system in Guatemala. The country spends 1.2% of their gross national product on health care - very little when the health care needs are so great. We toured the emergency room (there is a separate peds ER which treats over 200 patients a day - many visits due to gunshot wounds).We met several of the head nurses from various in-hospital units, visited the clinics, surgical unit, peds in-patient and the14 bed intensive care unit (ICU). There most patients were on ventilators and the head nurse informed us they were not sedated. They seemed to be resting comfortably. Amazingly, there is a new unopened 16 bed ICU - it cannot open because the glass in all the rooms is not shatter-proof and the donated beds do not have cranks to change the bed position.
We moved on to the nursing school where there was a large bust of Florence Nightingale. We toured the school and met with the dean.Students must complete high school and pass an entrance exam for admission. Once admitted to the 5 year program, tuition is free. Also, there is a new program supported by Korea to educate the doulas (Mayan birth attendants) in the countryside.
Next we had lunch, checked out of our hotel, and headed to Antigua Guatemala (about an hour ride) for some much needed rest and relaxation. On our way into the beautiful city we toured a jade factory. Guatemala, and especially Antigua, is known for its beautiful jade.
Our hotel in Antigua is very quaint - only 11 rooms - and decorated typico Guatemalan. It is very comfortable with a small fireplace in each room. We walked around the city and began to learn our way around. Antigua is a beautiful colonial city with cobblestone streets, brightly painted buildings, old churches, fun coffee shops, reasonably-priced restaurants and great local markets.Most importantly, it is safe.We were joined last evening by Nancy Hoffman (friend) from USAID in Guatemala. She will be staying with us in Antigua.
Today, Friday, has been a day of rest. We all had a nice breakfast. Everyone went their own way walking and shopping the local craft markets. Several students took a tour up to the volcanoes and will be back to Antigua at 8 tonight - just in time for a farewell dinner!!
Tomorrow we say goodbye to Antigua and Guatemala and begin our travel home!!!
Will post pictures later...Jane
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