Honduras: The cost of care

Police officer Jose Santo Hernandez told me that many locals re-evaluate their sickness in order to save money.He said that many people question why they should go to Shoulder to Shoulder's clinic and pay 100 lempira when they can go to a Honduran health center and pay only five.However, many of the government health centers do not have a physician on staff, nor adequate medicine. Therefore, patients feel they are forced to pay the higher fee at the non-profit's clinic where they know they will receive quality care.Lues Vasquez, owner of a local grocery store in town, said that he is impressed with Shoulder to Shoulder's clinic, despite the price difference."The doctors are very nice and help to improve the health of those in the community," he said.Santa Lucia Mayor Freddie Lemos Amaya expressed frustration with the lack of communication between the non-profit and the local politicians."Shoulder to Shoulder says that they have various programs, but I don’t know what programs they have because of the lack of communication that has always existed," Amaya said."Now I have faith and I believe from here on out there will be more communication between the mayor’s office and the people from Shoulder to Shoulder so that the situation can become better," he said. Learn more about Tracy's project Honduras: Fighting Malnutrition 'Shoulder to Shoulder'
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