A north central Arkansas physician says a recent medical mission trip to Peru gave him a new perspective on poverty and the importance of access to health care.
Dr. Adam Gray, an emergency room physician at Baxter Health Fulton County Hospital and family practice physician at Baxter Health Family Clinic at Melbourne, traveled to Cajamarca, Peru, from May 17 through May 25 as part of a medical mission coordinated by First Baptist Church in Melbourne.
Gray said the church has supported the annual mission for several years, and he had felt called to take part for some time. This year, he made the trip with his brother, a retired dentist, and his son, who plans to attend medical school.
Gray said the local group included about 31 people, who joined another group of about 15 to 20 after arriving in Peru. The group spent four to five days providing clinic work in several locations.
Dr. Gray uses his otoscope to check a patient’s ear in Cajamarca, Peru. Gray and the team from Melbourne First Baptist Church saw hundreds of patients while on this mission trip.
Gray said he is used to treating patients in rural areas with limited means, but the conditions in Peru were unlike anything he had seen.
“I was totally taken aback by the absolute destitution,” Gray said. “We talk about poverty in the U.S., but this was on a whole other level.”
According to Gray, many residents lacked clean drinking water, toileting facilities, vehicles and basic access to medical care. He said some people would have to travel 15 to 20 miles to see a medical professional, despite having no vehicle.
Baxter Health Fulton County Hospital donated medications for the mission, which Gray said made a major difference in the care the group could provide.
“Fulton County Hospital was kind enough to donate a large amount of medications to take,” Gray said. “We were very appreciative of that, because these people don’t have access to any type of vitamins, Tylenol, ibuprofen, or antibiotics for any infections.”
Gray said the donated medications helped the group treat toothaches, aches and pains, chronic pain conditions and infections.
Baxter Health Fulton County Hospital was also represented on the trip by Rachel Delargy, RN. Delargy said the mission created lasting connections with the patients they served.
“Meaningful connections that will last a lifetime were built,” Delargy said. “Some of my favorite memories were helping a young man in a wheelchair with wound care and helping young children with eye glasses that they never would have been able to have otherwise. I was able to help an elderly gentleman hear again by cleaning out his ears, and he cried hugging me.”
Gray said people do not have to work in health care to take part in a mission like the one to Peru. He said many volunteers helped in support roles by gathering information, helping patients with paperwork, painting children’s fingernails and handing out stuffed animals.
Gray said the gratitude shown by the patients made a lasting impression.
“Every one of them said thank you for anything you did for them,” Gray said. “That really puts some wind in your sails as a provider.”
Delargy said the mission had a major impact on the team.
“This mission was a life-changing experience for our team,” she said. “We are hopeful we made a difference in the lives of others.”
After the medical mission was complete, participants also traveled to Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu.
Those interested in providing future support for the mission may contact Melbourne First Baptist Church at (870) 368-4369.
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