By María José Montiel Castillo
Julieta came to Clinica Verde from El Jocote, an area that belongs to a municipality in the department of Boaco. To get to the clinic, she woke at 4 in the morning.
“We have to walk 30 minutes, then grab a bus or truck, then take another bus that brings us to Boaco. It takes us over 2 hours to make the journey.”
Julieta says she has come to Clinica Verde many times with her mother and children. “The nurses are very friendly, the doctor (Dr. Miranda) also.” As a patient at Clinica Verde, Julieta contributes a “donation” to the clinic for the services provided. She says that the fees are higher at other places. Recently, Julieta shared, she had to pay 1,600 cordobas (approximately $62) for exams, and she’s still trying to pay the last 450 cordobas ($17). She hopes that Clinica Verde will one day have a laboratory and provide such exams “at a lower cost, because sometimes her family has to go without eating in order to cure our children of their illnesses.”
Julieta has 7 children – 5 girls and 2 boys. On this visit to Clinica Verde, Julieta came with her younger daughter, Mariana, 19 years old. It is her third visit to Clinica Verde, and she arrives with pain in her throat. Dr. Nubia Huete diagnosed her with pharyngitis and malnutrition. Mariana weighs 38.6 KG (aoubt 85 pounds). Julieta’s other daughter, 22-year-old Valeria, had visited Clinica Verde recently with stomach problems.
“I am very grateful to the doctors and Clinica Verde,” said Mariana. “My Mom has received treatment here and also much of my family.”
Note: We like to share our patients stories, because they highlight our challenges as well as our triumphs. We learn from these stories. We’ve discovered that transportation is a big issue for our patients, so we’re seeking funding for a van. Also, we’re working to gain support to open a laboratory at Clinica Verde so we can expand our services to our patients. We welcome your thoughts, support and questions!
*The names of the patients have been changed.