
05/05/2007-- Editor's note: This copyrighted article from the DuBois Courier Express is republished here with permission. Dr. Rice practices in DuBois and Bradford. "As a former patient, I am awed at the benevolence of this gifted surgeon for the less fortunate people of this world we live in".... James Jones
UNDER CONSTRUCTION — Dr. Jeffrey Rice of DuBois and the Global Health Outreach plan to donate this clinic, shown under construction in March in Copan, Honduras, to the Honduran-based Pastors & Clinic Association and the international Rotary Club. It will be used by GHO and other similar groups to treat patients. Rice said he’s working in DuBois to help pay for medical equipment needed for the new clinic, expected to open for surgery in December. (Photos submitted)
DuBOIS - Practicing what he preaches, a local physician is building a third-world medical clinic as part of his involvement in the Global Health Outreach. While this is being done, DuBois-based surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Rice is planning for his next trip to provide medical service abroad.
He hopes others are willing to join the program, and help any way they can.The Global Health Outreach, or GHO, is a branch of the Christian Medical & Dental Associations. Goals of the GHO include treating patients, teaching physicians and encouraging Christianity on a volunteer basis.
"The philosophy is that most of these people will be impoverished their whole life and they live with very little hope," Rice said. The physicians involved with GHO do their best to medically treat the patients. But, as Rice said, "The long-term goal is being in a Christian community, with hope of an afterlife and less suffering.
"Many different kinds of people can help others through GHO. Physicians and nurses and needed, but Rice said, "You don't need a medical background to go." People are also needed to fulfill tasks such as fitting glasses, passing out medication and evangelization.Those that don't know much about medicine return from their trip somewhat knowledgeable. No one returns the same, as volunteers see first-hand what's important in life and what's not.
According to Rice, the average group that makes a trip includes 40 volunteers. About half of this count do not have a medical background.The volunteers are based at clinics, which can vary in construction. Rice said there are clinics built within RVs, which are equipped to serve patients and can travel around. But, often, villagers travel to a stationary clinic set-up within various buildings. Equipment is often temporarily stationed in schools and churches to do this.
When the volunteers establish a clinic location, visitors requesting medical treatment come from miles away, often on foot. "The line goes longer than one can imagine," Rice said. "They stand in 90-degree heat and don't even complain."On average, anywhere from 1,500-3,000 people visit a clinic per trip. Rice said about 200-500 of these people end up committing themselves to a Christian church after the clinic visit. Some of those treated obtain services for conditions ranging from facial deformities, broken bones, cancer and diabetes.
Rice's GHO specialty is general, minor plastic surgery.Rice said clinic doctors treat a lot of machete injuries in Central and South America. "Unfortunately, alcohol is involved in this quite a bit," he said. Rice added that machete injuries are often derived from robberies, fights and even children playing with them.
Rice said his motive for participating in GHO is simple. "It's a good opportunity for someone to actually contribute, instead of thinking or talking about it," he said. "It's a chance to do something that makes a difference.
"Volunteers never know whose life they may change. Rice was told a story about a "street kid" wrapped within an environment of drugs and prostitution. His mother had an encounter with a GHO volunteer, and she became involved in Christianity. This rubbed off on her "street kid" son, who went to school, became an investment banker, a missionary and head of GHO in Central America.
Rice has been going on three to four trips per year, for a "number of years." He has treated patients in Vietnam, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, Ecuador and Belize, but said GHO goes to even more countries around the world.Rice's next trip is scheduled for southern Mexico in November, strictly to treat cleft palates. This summer, he plans to travel to Copan, Honduras, to see how well a clinic he's helping build is coming along
But, besides these trips, Rice is certain he'll be called upon to travel with GHO before the fall, and he'll be willing to answer the call.Rice even said he's working in DuBois to help pay for medical equipment needed for the new Honduran clinic, expected to open for surgery in December.
It will be used for the general needs of GHO and similar organizations. Capabilities will involve simple to moderate surgery, with general anesthetic available.This clinic will be donated by Rice and GHO to the Honduran-based Pastors & Clinic Association and the international Rotary Club.
It will be used by GHO and other similar groups to treat patients. It is connected to a birthing clinic, similar to a maternity ward. This birthing clinic is owned by the Pastors & Clinic Association and the Rotary Club. In the absence of GHO-type groups, the birthing clinic will be able to use the space and equipment in the connected clinic that is being built.
The Honduran government may even send a surgeon to the new clinic on a regular basis to use it as a model for rural healthcare. Rice said 60 percent of the people in the Copan area have no access to healthcare and the infant mortality rate is "tremendous."The birthing clinic is outpatient-service only, and is closed overnight. This means that Rice's connecting clinic would also have to operate under outpatient hours, but he and others are working to change this. Hopefully, patients in both sections can eventually be treated and stay around-the-clock.
Anyone wanting to become involved in the GHO can do online research at cmdahome.org. Rice said he'd like to get church groups or independent people involved, and would be glad to provide information. Rice can be reached by phone at 375-0500.