Predisan: Medical Help in Rural Honduras

The sun creeps over the horizon as the rooster crows. It peeks through the trees and creates a golden haze that quietly awakens every creature from its sleep. Miles and miles of green stretch in every direction. There is not an inch of the mountains that is not covered by a bright green jungle. The morning sun shoots energy into the mountains’ inhabitants and pulls them out of their lull. Laughter rings through the morning and dirt covered children of all ages sprint up the gravel pathway to receive free soccer balls from the gringos.

Honduras is knows as the “banana republic” of the world. Its countless hills produce agricultural exports like coffee, timber and, of course, bananas that are shipped all over the world. But even with its massive international trade, Honduras’ financial reliance on these cheap products have not kept it away from the number two spot on the “CIA World Factbook’s” list of poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere.

Andrew Burnett, a junior undergrad at Harding University, traveled to Honduras in 2009 to develop a microfinance program in the rural communities of Catacamas. “As we continue to work in Catacamas, we have to address the growing urbanization of the region, specifically the increase in poor populations. The focus for the mountain region now needs to be turned to education while maintaining the level of health care and existing programs for the rural population” Burnett says.

With a struggling economy, proper health care is regularly overlooked, leaving the remote mountain villages of Honduras without health care guidance. If a family needs to take a member to a hospital - miles out of the mountains and into the foreign civilization of Catacamas – they must face the treacherous mountain roads that regularly flood in the rainy seasons. They are also burdened with the fact that their poverty level will not even cover a fraction of the hospital bill.

As a solution to these issues, Predisan was launched in 1986. It is a Christian medical center with a simple goal to teach basic health care techniques to the people of Catacamas, Honduras. Most of the medical conditions that are acquired in the mountains and treated by Predisan can be prevented if the individual is aware of those basic health care techniques.

Bartola Madrid, adopted daughter of the medical director Amanda Madrid, describes the campaign: “It's one of the greatest missions there is in Honduras. They are fully dedicated to helping the people that are really in need...that cannot afford a doctor. And the most important thing is that Predisan is not only concerned about the physical need, but also the spiritual need. It's one of the things I love about it ...it is balanced.”

Predisan’s practices quickly spread to the surrounding rural and mountainous areas of Catacamas.

Predisan has established five fully-functioning clinics that serve a total of 51 mountain communities. These communities are scattered over the Honduran mountains in remote locations that are commonly without basic functions like running water and toilets that flush.

Madrid goes on to elaborate more about the work that Predisan does. “I can see how giving everyone is…how doctors, nurses, preachers and missionary groups are willing to sacrifice their comfort and travel deep in the jungles to vaccinate, do oral hygiene, build latrines…that amazes me and makes me want to be a part of it every time.”

Since its introduction in the 1980s, Predisan has grown from a heath skills learning program into a full-time medical facility. However, the health care programs it provides in the rural and mountainous areas are Predisan's passion. Predisan medical staff trains volunteers to go into the villages and conduct programs that teach everything from basic sanitation rules to providing vaccinations for poisonous snake bites.

A growing and increasingly popular campaign –for mission groups- that Predisan conducts is the Healthy School Program. A staff made up of medical leaders and volunteers are invited into the dirt-floored schools to teach children about the importance of hygiene and a healthy life-style.

In addition to the “health classes” classes taught by Predisan, oral hygiene, vitamins, healthy food, treatment for parasites and a physical assessment of the children are provided. The simple lessons that are taught provide an important foundation for the children so that they can develop healthy habits and improve their well-being.

“My [biological] mom died of cervical cancer and not because there was not cure but because she was not taught to get a regular check up. She never even had the chance to get to see a nurse because of distance and money” Madrid says.

Medical correspondents and volunteers of Predisan are encouraged to set up relationships with the teachers and students. Predisan wants the villages to know that although they are disassociated with urban life, medical and spiritual assistance are not out of reach.

Kelly Graham, office administrator for New Hope Church of Christ, has done mission work with Predisan since 1999. “The people make it special. I have built lasting relationships in Honduras...” Graham says, “It is locals helping each other and trying to improve themselves and their lives. The people are thankful and not expectant.”