At daybreak, a discreet line had already formed in Bocozelle, a remote locality in the fifth communal section of Saint-Marc. Pregnant women, men, and children were all waiting for the arrival of the Zanmi Lasante medical team.
The sun beat down on the dusty road. Yet that day, a breath of hope swept across the plain. Thanks to the community medical education program, a mobile clinic had set up to offer medications, a listening ear, accurate diagnoses, human-centered support, and all of it free of charge.
Edele, the mother of three children, did not hesitate for a second when she heard, in the distance, the voice of a health worker announcing the clinic over a loudspeaker. She has lived in Bocozelle for ten years and knows the limits of the local health system: “This initiative should happen more often,” she said, holding her health booklet. “It’s a real relief for us.”
Charlemagne, the father of four children, shares the same feeling: “This is the first time I’ve taken part in an activity like this. Health care is expensive, especially for those who don’t have the means. Today, my children and I were treated for free, and that’s huge.”
At the heart of this operation was a multidisciplinary team driven by service. Among them, Dr. Rémy, a second-year emergency medicine resident, coordinated consultations alongside experienced physicians: “I’m proud to be able to practice my profession in the service of the most vulnerable. Demand was higher than we expected, and that shows how necessary these interventions are,” she explained.
The consultations covered pediatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics-gynecology, and family medicine. Seven pregnant women received follow-up for the first time since the start of their pregnancies. Twenty-seven women received a Pap test, a simple but essential exam to prevent cervical cancer, still too rare in these rural areas.
In all, 281 people were examined. The team diagnosed 55 genitourinary infections and 47 dermatological conditions, often overlooked for lack of means. The more complex cases were referred to Hôpital Saint-Nicolas in Saint-Marc to ensure proper medical follow-up.
All prescribed medications were distributed free of charge thanks to Zanmi Lasante’s logistical support.
Among the caregivers mobilized, several young physicians in training took an active part in the day. Their presence is part of Zanmi Lasante’s residency program, recently accredited by ACGME International. This recognition helps structure a demanding training program, but its effects are most visible in the field. It makes it possible to bring quality care to the most isolated places, detect diseases in time, and gradually build a stronger health system that serves those who need it most.
In Bocozelle and elsewhere, each mobile clinic is a concrete response to a vital need. Thanks to your donations, these interventions can continue, and thousands of patients can receive the care they deserve.