Primeros Pasos relies on the generosity of our volunteers and supporters to provide quality health care at the Clinic.  Operations depend heavily on donations - monetary and material.  To follow is a list of medicines, supplies and equipment that are currently needed at the Clinic.  If you would like to donate items to the Clinic but are not planning a visit soon, please first contact Development Director Lisa Ann Convery at development@primerospasos.org to be put in touch with someone in your area who is planning an upcoming trip!  Please do not send anything via mail, UPS, FedEx nor DHL as the currier mail system in Guatemala is very unreliable. Thank you, in advance, for your kind support! 

Medical Programs

Any donations are appreciated, but vitamins, antihistamines, and ointments are the things we go through the fastest. If every volunteer can bring a few of these things, Valley residents will have greater access to effective medical services. Though these items are our priorities, other donations are certainly welcome.  We ask that all volunteers try to bring some of the “top priority” items, in whatever quantity possible.

 

TOP PRIORITY:

Items available at your local pharmacy (items needed at all times that are easier for volunteers to get than for the clinic to get):

• Chewable children’s vitamins (bottles of generic “Flintstones” or “gummy” vitamins)
• Children’s antihistamines (Benadryl, loratadine, etc. – generic is fine, liquid or chewable)
• Prenatal and adult vitamins
• Over-the-counter antibiotic, antifungal, anti-itch, and steroid ointments (ex./ bacitracin, calamine, and hydrocortisone)

 

The items that you can buy at the local pharmacy may seem small, but they are vital to our daily operations. Family members may also have suggestions. Please be sure to check expiration dates.

 

  Items available from more specialized distributors (online or through a medical facility):

•         Pediatric pulse oximeter

•         Inhalers or medications for nebulizer use for asthma or other

          airway diseases (Salbutamol, Albuterol, Fluticasone, etc.)

•         Nebulizer with disposable masks

•         Spacer for inhalers (Aerochamber, of any size)

•         Hemocult/guaic cards for the lab

•         Antibiotics (especially cipfofloxacin, levoflaxacin, and azithromycin)

          for children or adults, and any other types of medications

•         Alcohol Prep Swabs, Individually Packaged

•         Plastic ear wax scoopers (for dis-impacting ear canals)

•         Iodine/betadine in bottle or pre-packaged swabs

•         Blood pressure cuffs (any size)

•         Test strips for Precision Xtra glucometer

•         Hospital-grade thermometer with covers

•         Urine Dipsticks (complete: leucocytes, density, glucose, nitrate, bilirubin, ketones)

•         Pediatric laryngoscope and intubation equipment

•         Lidocaine

•         Portable AED (defibrillator)

•         Emesis basins and trays for surgical tools

•         Rapid tests for the lab (Strep, Hep A, HIV, pregnancy, mono, ASO, etc.)

•         Test Tubes without Anticoagulant to Draw Blood

•         Eye exam sheets

•         Otoscopes/Othoscopes

•         Medicine Dosage Cups/Syringes

•         Ofloxacin

•         Latex Hand Gloves without Powder (unisex)

•         Speculums (metal would be best, but plastic disposable would also be helpful)

•         Oral Rehydration Salts

•         Current reference books/textbooks relevant to primary and specialty care of adults and children

 

 

Women´s and Children´s Health Education Programs

The educational programs welcome donations of supplies such as:

•         Crayons, colored pencils, and markers of all types (dry erase, permanent, sharpies)

•         Office supplies (paper, post-its, index cards, etc.)

•         Coloring books (about good foods, vegetables, fruits in Spanish)

•         Educational materials (health issues, hygiene, the environment, self-esteem--in Spanish)

•         Digital camera to help with documentation of the educational sessions

•         Digital projector for teaching classes

•         Computer and computer equipment (discuss specifics with Clinic Mgmt)

 

 

Dental Program

Items that would significantly benefit the program include the following:  

•         Toothbrushes

•         Glutaraldehid or other chemical liquid disinfectant for clinical

          instruments (agents active against HIV, VHB, Tuberculosis, etc.)

•         Lidocaine with Epinephrine or Adrenaline for dental anesthetic

•         Dental needles (27 short)

•         Silver amalgame capsules for fillings

•         Dental Diamondburs, model 1036

•         Dical (calcium hydroxide)

•         Porta-amalgamas (the instrument used to put the amalgame in the cavity)

•         Cotton rolls

•         Topical Anesthetic

•         Dental Syringe for Local Anesthesia

•         Hand piece for fillings