los hospitales

Este semana fue dedicado a visitar los hospitales de San Jose. We visited an EBAIS in a very poor area of San Jose, and toured the government housing. There is an area of temporary housing, much like squatters or shacks that people build to wait for the government housing, which were tiny shacks in themselves, but at least they were equipped with electricity, and some running water. We then wen to the geriatric hospital, which had a very impressive occupational and physical therapy program. The hospital serves as a nursing home as well. Since it is a public hospital, everything is covered by the government, so patients do not need to pay for their care.

Next we went to CIMA which is advertised as a hospital and a hotel all in one. It is a nice and fancy private hospital in which patients pay for all care. Many patients from other countries come for plastic surgery, and the wealthy Costa Rican's pay to get their treatment here. The service is incredible, and I was able to have a private tour of the PT room. The presentation was in Spanish, so a little was lost in translation, but I was impressed there as well, and it was nice to see other therapists at work.

The next day, we went to the children's hospital which was so beyond sad. It is public, and the Best Children's Hospital in Latin America, but was heartbreaking to see the over crowded waiting rooms of critically ill patients. There is a burn unit that fits 12 children at a time, and only one transplant team, that frequently has to turn patients away due to lack of space. It is heartbreaking, but inspires me to do so much more to help.

It was an eye opening and inspiring week.

Love to all back home :)