One of the major objectives of the Roatan Health Assistance Project encompasses supporting La Clinica Esperanza, or commonly called “the clinic,” by providing donations and volunteers. The clinic was founded in 2001 by Peggy Stranges, a former nurse who retired to Roatan. Due to the hospital’s high fees and limited services, natives are unable to receive the care they need; thus, they turned to Peggy. With 14 years of medical experience, she started operating the temporary clinic out of her home to provide efficient and effective healthcare at a low or free cost. In 2007, Peggy moved her clinical services from her home into the newly-built La Clinica Esperanza.

The Clinic:
• Location: Sandy Bay, Roatan, Honduras
• New clinic’s grand opening: March 10, 2007
• 3,000 sq. ft, two-story building
• Cost $500,000 to build
• Hours: opens at 8 a.m. and closes when the last patient is seen
• Emergency medical care is available 24 hours a day
• Sees 30 to 40 patients per day
• More than 1,000 patients consider this to be their primary medical care provider
• More than 5,000 patients have been treated
• Fee: 20 Limpira (about $1 U.S.); waived if patient is unable to pay
• Dr. Raymond Cherrington, a native Honduran, is the clinic’s full-time physician
• Sponsored by a network of donors, missionaries, international medical communities, international humanitarian organizations, and non-profits (such as RHAP)

Facilities include:
• 2 treatment rooms
• Surgical suite
• Dental suite
• Waiting rooms
• Pharmacy – medicine donated by various individuals in the medical community and international organizations (Medisend)
• Woman’s and Children’s Center – provides a clean, safe place for mothers to give birth with assistance of trained personnel
• Daycare Center – provides care for younger children so their older siblings can attend school

Services include:
• Full-time local staffing of doctors and nurses
• Full-time local dentist
• Volunteers: administration, triage, translation, and medical responsibilities
• AIDS and tuberculosis hospice
• Lifetime care for hypertension and diabetes
• Preventative medicine and lifestyle modification education: nutrition and exercise

Although the new clinic has been built, it will need further aid to maintain its operations. Many of the above services and facilities still need to be implemented. The Clinic’s Wish List can be found here, or contact Peggy Stranges at peggy@missionroatan.org. Donations can also be made through the RHAP to help areas in need of the most support.