Projects: Financial Aid for the Jac de Wit Clinic

Since 1994 there is a small hospital, the Jac de Wit Clinic, in Colonia El Milagro close to Guatemala City. It was started by Memisa (Medical Mission Action). For the mostly impoverished 100,000 people living in this Colonia, this clinic serves a critical need. Dr Bloem who as a volunteer has worked in this clinic in 1994 and in the years since, has experienced this firsthand. He has also been able to
observe what is still lacking and how great the needs are in this hospital that is not receiving any government funding.

Many diseases that have been mostly eradicated in western countries – such as cholera, malaria and tuberculosis – are seen on a daily basis in this hospital. Many children have intestinal and bronchial infections.
The difficult financial position of the hospital remains problematic. Many of the patients are out of work and have no or very minimal income. Most of them are not covered by insurance and cannot pay the hospital fees. Medical care is provided free of charge or for a small fee to these patients who live below the poverty level and for children who are not in school. This means that there is a constant shortage of funds

Foundation Flor Ayuda assists this clinic in order that they can continue their humanitarian work.

In 2002 we decided to continue providing financial aid for 4 years, starting with USD 44,000 the first year and decreased by 25% every subsequent year. The director of the hospital, Vitalino Cuca, has started many activities aimed at producing money for the continuation of the hospital and at the same time with benefits to the local population. One of these activities is the opening of a public library in an empty room with Internet access that can be used for a reasonable fee and also a
computer academy offering computer courses.

At another location in the Colonia a swimming pool has been built which really answers to a basic need
for the impoverished population. We are working with the people in Guatemala to come to a more definitive solution so that in years to come they will be able to operate without having to rely on outside help. One of our ideas is for the hospital to provide more surgeries for the poorest of the poor who cannot pay for these necessary surgeries. In 2005 we allotted a USD 20,000 subsidy for this activity. This will help many patients but at the same time will also ensure a better patient capacity for the hospital and will provide more work for people and income for x rays and lab work. Also in 2006 and 2007 we contributed USD 20.000 to surgeries for the poorest of the poor. For 2008 we allotted USD 20.000 for this program. There is also the possibility that church organizations with money will help pay for surgeries for poor patients which then can be performed in the Jac de Wit Clinic. The hospital has a good reputation.

Back to Projects