Paul Qualtere-Burcher — A Week Without UltraSound -- Women's Health in El Salvador

It is hard to put into words an experience as big as our trip to El Salvador with the PeaceHealth Medical Mission. Certainly, it was very different than my expectations, and even different than my fears. We worked in a small clinic in a rural hill area of El Salvador near the town of Suchitoto--an area decimated by the civil war. Two fears that I had were that they would resent Americans since our government is largely responsible for much of their suffering (the US gave 6 billion dollars in military aid to El Salvador's right wing government), and that I would be useless as a physician in such a primitive setting without all my usual technological bells and whistles.

Typical PazSalud Clinic setup, with patients waiting in line.

Mass attended by PazSalud volunteers. Portraits of the beloved Romero are common sights in El Salvador.

Both fears were unfounded. The first Sunday in Suchitoto the priest at Mass announced our group and the purpose of our visit; people cheered us and many waited after Mass to personally thank us for coming. This was our reception the entire time we were there--I received more hugs from patients my first morning in clinic than in a normal year of work.

The people we saw were heartwarming in their openness and stoicism. Even telling women that I had no way to help their problems was still met with thanks and smiles. On the third day of clinic I realized I was doing as much good in El Salvador with my limited means as I do in Eugene with far greater ability to intervene. The women I saw in La Mora, the clinic site, had great need and I helped some. The women in Eugene often truly need much less, so the net effect is much the same. Time and time again we were told that this was the first time that a doctor had spent time explaining their problems to them, and that knowing what was wrong made them feel better and less afraid.

Not bad for a week without ultrasound.

Women patients waiting for their turn to see Dr. Qualtere-Burcher.

Paul Qualtere-Burcher consults with Kathy Garcia during a dinner break.