Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009 - Migrant Health Clinic
A warm, sun-filled morning greeted Border Health Project's first clinic of 2009. Volunteers congregated at UC San Diego's School of Medicine campus at 8:30am, eager to start the day. Despite a three-day weekend of unseasonably warm weather and the pull of excellent surf conditions, there was a strong showing of volunteers. Our usual core of local doctors, UCSD medical students and undergraduate interpreters was augmented by a group of physicians, medical students, and dentists from Mexico. After a round of introductions and a final equipment check, we put on our white coats, piled into our vehicles and made our way to the clinic site.
It was a busy Sunday. Several groups converged at the site to offer aid. California Rural Legal Assistant Foundation was present, helping workers who had been denied pay to reclaim their wages. Our Lady of Mount Carmel (OLMC) Migrant Outreach conducted a Catholic mass, followed by lunch for the men. Border Health Project partnered with physicians and dentists from across the border in providing some basic healthcare services.
Upon arriving at the clinic site, we set up our tables and got to work. The mass would begin promptly at 10am. Our goal was to complete glucose and blood pressure screening and find those who desired medical or dental consults before that. Under the guidance of more experienced medical students, novice first-year medical students and undergraduates learned how to use a sphygmomanometer and stethoscope to measure blood pressure. Students also got to familiarize themselves with operating glucose monitors. Over two dozen men were screened for high blood pressure and blood glucose levels.
Students, physicians and farm workers alike attended the Catholic mass. A draped table held the sacraments, with a wooden cross and framed picture of the Virgin Mary completing the arrangement. The priest read passages of scripture in Spanish and delivered his sermon in English, connecting with the Spanish-speakers in the audience with the help of an interpreter. One of the men played guitar and led the singing of hymns and spiritual songs.
After mass, we found our patients amongst the men sitting down eating lunch. Medical students took patient histories and performed physical exams. The patient was then presented to an attending physician. After discussing symptoms and differential diagnoses, an assessment and plan of treatment was drawn up. Patients were counseled on preventative care, medicine, if needed, was dispensed and follow-up care arranged. We saw patients with a wide range of medical concerns, ranging from chronic back pain to internal parasites.
The dental clinic saw twelve dental patients. The dentists brought portable irrigators, suction, and sterilization equipment. Three chairs were set up under a canopy and the dentists got to work cleaning teeth, filling cavities, and performing extractions.
Patient flow started winding down around 1:30pm. After a rewarding morning of providing healthcare to some of San Diego's underserved migrant farm workers, Border Health Project packed up tables and medicines. We headed to Islands restaurant for a well deserved lunch and to plan next month's clinic.
Border Health Project at UCSD