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Doctor on a mission to Honduras

By Admin - Posted on 22 June 2009

People who complain about the medical system in Canada should try being a patient just about anywhere else in the world.

Dr. Jeff Kornelsen of Abbotsford says if they did, they would likely change their attitude.

Kornelsen has been participating in medical mission trips since 2002 and has seen the dismal state of health care in places such as Zimbabwe, Mexico and Costa Rica.

His latest trip took place Nov. 14 to 28, when he volunteered his services at the Loma de la Luz Hospital in Balfate, Honduras.

The trip was arranged through World Medical Missions, an arm of Samaritan’s Purse, an organization involved in global crisis relief and community development.

Kornelsen, who runs a family practice in Mission and also works with the Abbotsford Maternity Group, said the trips make him more appreciative of the health care system in Canada.

“We say we have a doctors’ shortage here and I laugh,” he said.

Kornelsen said medical education in developing countries is often inadequate, and trained doctors tend to work in private health care. This leaves a gap in services for the people who cannot afford to pay.

Another issue is that there is a shortage of doctors who specialize in areas such as obstetrics, neurology and orthopedics.

The Honduran hospital where Kornelsen volunteered was established by an American doctor and is funded by donations. It has space for 20 to 30 beds.

A team of six doctors – all American – are on staff, including a surgeon. More are needed.

The facility provides free health care to nearby residents. During his two-week stay, Kornelsen dealt with an array of cases.

“As far as medicine goes, it was fun. You see everything that shows up, and people want and need care right there at that little hospital,” he said.

Among the situations he dealt with were a girl who had swallowed rat poison, a boy who fractured his elbow when he fell out of a tree, cancer patients and seizure disorders.

Also somewhat common were machete wounds. The tool is used by adults and kids alike for things such as chopping wood, fixing trails and cutting grass.

The hospital deals on site with most cases, but more serious issues are referred to the city hospital about two hours away.

Kornelsen enjoyed working with the other doctors, who he said took a team approach to patient care.

He said he also enjoyed working with the patients, who were grateful for the care.

“To have a doctor who will listen to them and care what they’re going through . . . I know that was really appreciated by some of the people I bumped into.”

Kornelsen has gained so much from his mission trips that he wanted his family – wife Bonnie; two daughters, 15 and 11; and two sons, 9 and 13 – to join him on one.

The whole crew leaves in mid-February for a four-month stay in Antigua, Guatemala. While there, Kornelsen will work at a medical clinic run by Students International, a community development organization.

In addition to performing medical treatment, Kornelsen hopes to provide education on preventing health issues such as diarrhea and pneumonia – two common problems in the region.

More information about Students International is available online at www.stint.com.

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