In Bolivia, one of the most evident examples of gender-based health inequity is the lack of access to quality gynecological care. This issue has been a part of Solidarity Bridge’s mission since our second mission trip in 2000. Many women, especially mothers, suffer silently from conditions like abnormal bleeding, pelvic organ prolapse, fibroids, urinary incontinence, and other health problems often linked to multiple childbirths. Unfortunately, these conditions are rarely addressed until they become severe.
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Through this Lenten program, together we get to be a living sign to our patients and partners that they are not alone in the wilderness. We can't avoid the harsh and rugged wilderness. We can't always prevent the people we love or those in our communities from experiencing it. This Lent, as we sit together in that wilderness, we are challenged to remain rooted in our conviction that God is here with us and we are never alone. May this place, indeed, be the promise of something new and life-giving for all of us.
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Fred Rogers, TV’s beloved Mr. Rogers, used to say that when there is a crisis, look for the helpers. During our week in Vinto, Bolivia, as part of Solidarity Bridge’s Multi-Specialty Mission Team, we never had to look far to find helpers.
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Too often, we overlook the fact that there is not only an economic barrier preventing patients from receiving care but also a time barrier. In many cases, the ability to take time off to heal is a luxury. Many patients put off life-saving surgery because they can’t afford to take time off. This is why our general surgery program has placed a strong emphasis on training local doctors and residents in laparoscopic surgery, as well as donating laparoscopic equipment and supplies.
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On the recent Multi-Specialty Mission Trip, it was apparent that life had changed in Bolivia. The economic crisis has affected everyone in but its toll on our patients, many of whom have few economic resources to begin with, is particularly harsh. The devaluation of the boliviano means that even basic necessities have become unaffordable, making healthcare access nearly impossible for many.
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