Partner for Surgery (PfS) and our Guatemalan partner, Asociación Compañero Para Cirugía (ACPC), coordinate 6+ Mobile Medical Missions every year, to reach Guatemalans without access to health care, living in the most remote areas. “MMMs” evaluate hundreds of patients for problems which can be treated by a surgical procedure, like hernias, prolapsed uteruses, masses, and cleft lip/palate.

PfS and ACPC follow up with Surgical Missions, helping medical professionals form a team, or working with organizations like the following, who organize teams:

  • UMHLanga (South Africa)
  • Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (Dr. Doolin)
  • Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (Dr. Low – Team 1)
  • Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (Dr. Low – Team 2)
  • Hands and Hearts for Christ
  • Broken Earth, Vancouver
  • Broken Earth, Ontario
  • Broken Earth, Canada
  • Broken Earth, Ottawa
  • Broken Earth, Calgary
  • George Washington University
  • CARE Team
  • Hernia Society, USA

Surgical Missions operate at out-patient clinics that include well-equipped operating rooms, a PACU, post op area and a large sleeping and eating facility that can accommodate patients and their families. Most cases are hernias, lumps and bumps, an occasional breast mass, cleft surgeries, and other in and out procedures. We have the capacity to do laparoscopic procedures, such as gall bladders, and a few of these have been done, but some instrumentation must be brought here. Because we can keep patients for the whole week with post operative follow up, such procedures are possible.

The PfS/ACPC Medical Director and his medical assistants, translators, and other helpers make sure things move along smoothly. PfS/ACPC coordinates the transportation of patients for surgery. Every patient is accompanied by a Health Promoter, who provides all necessary patient logistics (transportation, food, temporary housing).

Although our patients are extremely poor, they are asked to make a small contribution towards the cost of the transportation, food, labs and/or make a donation to the hospital.

For more information, please refer to our FAQs.