Los equipos

I thought, for posterities sake, I would try to chronicle the process of importing medical equipment to Peru. Many of you know the story, but here is an attempt at a written account, because hopefully tomorrow it will all be over.
When we came in late Nov. 2007 our container that followed was loaded with our personal belongings as well as several medical machines and supplies. In late Dec. we were allowed by customs officials to collect our personal items, but all the medical goods were put in storage. We have a written contract with the ministry of health (MINSA) stipulating that they will help us be exonerated from import duties on our medical goods if we split 50-50 all the stuff. The next six months were spent by our Peruvian friends negotiating with MINSA and customs all the paper work needed. Finally last June, I think, of 2008, we received word that the goods were being released into the hands of MINSA, and soon they would split the goods with us. By this time, many of the products had expired, as all was donated, and most with short dates.

Well, over the next six months MINSA dragged their feet, and finally last December we had a meeting where they told us they could not abide by our contract, because they had promised customs that all the goods would stay in the public healthcare system, making our contract void. So we only had the right to designate to which public health centers the goods would be allocated. Needless to say, we were a little disgruntled. Dr. Rebaza, the minister of health, then suggested that the only solution would be to formulate a new contract, designating our clinic as a public health center, passing under the supervision of MINSA, and during the duration of that new contract, we could then import more equipment. However, many of our Peruvian friends warned us not to do this, because once we enter that realm of government control, we risk all, perhaps starting an irreversible process of complete take-over.

So we were going slowly, talking to a lawyer about helping us come up with the language of this new, short-term contract, when early March, we get another phone call, requesting another meeting. Now, it seems, the winds have changed, and they will abide by the original contract, and we have met several times since to divide the remaining equipment( I say remainining because some stuff have expired and two pieces have been taken already and put into use in Bella Vista, a clinic a few miles down the road). Now, the latest is tomorrow, the last day of March, we go at 9am to sign the papers, and then legally the goods are ours. We can then hire a truck to transport the equipment to our clinic here in Wichanzao.

Here ends the tale to date. Perhaps soon I can post some photos of the machines in operation.

pastoral visits

Today I went to visit some patients at their homes with our new clinic chaplain, Percy Padilla. We have a policy that those without income who live in extreme poverty can get discounted or free visits with our doctors. They patient fills out an economic survey, and later the clinic administrator is supposed to visit the home to verify the information. So today Percy and I went to make some visits. One of the ladies we found at home is called Maria, and she lives in a partial house with 6 children. She is a diabetic and has visited us for many years. The house has few walls, with a mud brick enclosure and tin roof. The kitchen is open and there were ducks and chickens all around. Percy presented the gospel to her and her husband and we encouraged to visit the clinic when they we in need. My impression of her husband is that he probably does not work, as he was still in bed when we arrived, and he looked like an alcoholic. She undoubtedly has a very difficult life, with very little income.
Also Christy, our clinic psychologist, told me that this week she had some very troublesome cases, some involving sexual abuse. It's sad to see the despair on some of the faces, but I know God alone can provide relief in such dire circumstances.