About the Hospital
Dr. Gustavo Casteneda Palacios Hospitalito is a small, rural hospital 123.8 kilometers from Guatemala City in Rio Hondo, Guatemala. The hospital serves approximately 40 outpatients daily, many in need of X-ray. This facility had an existing film-based X-ray but lacked the necessary digital capabilities to make the system functional for the site. The associated costs of film based X-ray and the inability to send images to experts for analysis proved to be a major burden on the hospital.
The hospital had previously identified experts to assist with reads but still needed a digital solution. Our involvement with this installation began in May, 2010. The solution included a CR unit as well as the necessary software to view and share images with experts anywhere in the world. The equipment was installed October 9, 2010, just in time for the hospital to participate in a mission November 7-9, 2010. Without a functioning X-ray system, the mission would not be possible.
Correspondence about the project
February 18, 2011
Dear Ones -
Thanks for continuing to pray for Jake Steph's time in Guatemala. From your lips to the Lord's ears - things are going wonderfully. Jake said they called he & Steph into a room in the hospital this morning and told them they wanted a picture of the two of them in front of the flag but then lowered the flag to show a commemorative plaque they had just hung with both of their names on it along with WHITIA & Medstrat for all of their donations & saying they will always be a part of the hospital forever- a special wink from the Lord came when Jake noticed the date on the plaque was his birthday October 16! Jake said they had just gotten the x-ray unit working when one of the first x-rays they did was on a lady with a bad skin rash - he said one of the physicians with them (Dr. Rich Colgan from Annapolis [Victoria & Madeline - Jake said his son goes to Severn]) was suspicious and the x-ray revealed she had a large tumor and the team surgeon (who just happened to be named Dr. KANE!) operated on her and they believe God used that x-ray unit to save her life!!!! Jake said they are doing 60-70 x-rays/day and they are wheeling kids in wheelchairs through the doors and they are leaving after surgery walking on their own! Meantime Steph & Dr. Avallone and team are constantly operating on kids' eyes. Pictures are being posted on Facebook - Helps, International - Michigan Helps Medical Team. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LOVE & SUPPORT
Nancy K Thompson
Kane X-ray Co., Inc.
January 4, 2010
Dear Ivy,
The mission was a success. There were 139 children evaluated and in 3 days. Twenty-eight of the more difficult cases received operations.. These were children who could not walk, do not go to the school and their parents hide them in their houses not to show them. The operations conducted by Dr. Vicky Athens and his collaborators were a success. Operations were performed on the 20th of November….and all the children were perfect. In January there will be another review of all the operated patients by Dr. Athens and the Dr. Hill.
We know that [WHITA, now WHITIA] worked very hard to deliver the x-rays equipment in time for this mission. The first day of evaluation 440 x-rays were taken. Our small hospital was completely full of patients, relatives and doctors. As all of these missions are a chain, you are an important link in this chain, because those children who received operations will have a new life. They will be able to go to the school. They will be able to play. That it is the dream of all when we are young.
You always will be in our heart and your name will be in a special place in our small hospital. If someday you think to come to know this beautiful country, please let us be your hosts. We hope that the world of social aid in which you and we move for needed people, join us to unite someday.
We are sure that you and your family are blessed by God. God bless you and happy, happy New Year,
Ana de Fratti
FUNDACION SEMILLAS DE ESPERANZA
HOSPITAL INFANTIL "DR. GUSTAVO CASTAÑEDA PALACIOS
