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The Stethoscope and the Machete

My Journey Through the World of Humanitarian Medicine

  • Lumbini Medical College
  • Butaro District Hospital
  • Afghanistan
  • Maternity Hospital for Gaza
  • Princess Marina Hospital
  • Kyangwali Refugee Settlement
  • Return to Bocas
  • The Panama Journals
The Luckiest Man in the World

The Luckiest Man in the World

By juan.lopez, February 25, 2024
Posted in: Kyangwali Refugee Settlement

By this time we had established our workflow, so in the morning after breakfast Alex and I, The Butterfly Boys, joined the surgical team for pre-op evaluations. In the meantime,…

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The Luckiest Man in the World
Women and Children

Women and Children

By juan.lopez, February 25, 2024
Posted in: Kyangwali Refugee Settlement

Throughout the morning of scanning pre-op patients, I had scurried off to the obstetrics tent more than once, checking in to start our ultrasound teaching. At 845 they told me…

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Women and Children
The Kyangwalinoma

The Kyangwalinoma

By juan.lopez, February 25, 2024
Posted in: Kyangwali Refugee Settlement

I was slow to wake on the morning of our second day. This was partially by design, as I was starting to think our departure times of 730 were wishful…

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The Kyangwalinoma
The Wards

The Wards

By juan.lopez, February 17, 2024
Posted in: Kyangwali Refugee Settlement

Waking up on our first day, I made haste to prep my things after breakfast. Told to expect pickup at 7, I was ready to go without a minute to…

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The Wards
Road Trippin

Road Trippin

By juan.lopez, February 17, 2024
Posted in: Kyangwali Refugee Settlement

The drive to Kyangwali was relatively uneventful, although there was a palpable buzz as we packed our bags onto our two green vans. Flooding necessitated a detour that took longer…

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Road Trippin
A New Start

A New Start

By juan.lopez, February 17, 2024
Posted in: Kyangwali Refugee Settlement

Well here we are. It’s been around a year since my last humanitarian project. Thinking back to who I was then, and who I am now, it’s hard to say…

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A New Start
Return to Bocas: Epilogue (Muchachooooos)

Return to Bocas: Epilogue (Muchachooooos)

By juan.lopez, March 12, 2023
Posted in: Return to Bocas

A restless head woke me just before my alarm. In the black of night, with only the whistling wind as my companion, I got up from bed and fumbled around…

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Return to Bocas: Epilogue (Muchachooooos)
Tranquilito

Tranquilito

By juan.lopez, March 12, 2023
Posted in: Return to Bocas

That Thursday morning, I woke up in my hammock suspended across the dock to the sound of pattering rain. Gloomy skies lingered overhead. Slowly the others came to life, criss-crossing…

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Tranquilito
Ensenada Episode VI: Return of the Bozo

Ensenada Episode VI: Return of the Bozo

By juan.lopez, March 12, 2023
Posted in: Return to Bocas

Last time I went to Ensenada, things got pretty wild. Located across the Chiriqui Lagoon passing through treacherous sailing in the Canal de Tigre, it’s somewhat isolated. Not only that,…

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Ensenada Episode VI: Return of the Bozo
Attack of the Gastrointestinal Tracts

Attack of the Gastrointestinal Tracts

By juan.lopez, March 3, 2023
Posted in: Return to Bocas

Rising from my hammock on Thursday morning, I slowly oriented myself to thel world around me in my usual delayed fashion. Looking at my watch, I noticed it was just…

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Attack of the Gastrointestinal Tracts
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