In September 2015, Trevor Brooks of the University of California, San Francisco began a research project funded by The Doris Duke International Clinical Research Foundation and Global Healing that enables the Public Hospital Roatán to evaluate and improve its clinical diagnosis of dengue and provide better care for patients within the existing healthcare system.
Previously gut-feelings were relied upon to diagnose the disease which often led to misdiagnosis and improper treatment. With limited resources, laboratory tests can't be performed for all patients. Thanks to the research being done, a tool is now available to definitively confirm or deny suspicions and provide the correct treatment to help patients recover.
Helmer Scientific donated a medical-grade freezer to Hospital Roatán which is being used to store the biological samples used in the research project and will remain at the hospital once the research is completed. Previously, Roatán's public hospital only had a refrigerator/freezer capable of maintaining -5°C, which is inappropriate for laboratory or medical purposes. These samples are being used to bring impactful healthcare changes in an area where limited health resources are available.
Video credit: Rudi Tcrux, tcruz.design@gmail.com
