In January, 2009, I traveled with a neurosurgery brigade to San Pedro Sula, Honduras. American neurosurgeon, Dr. Joel Winer, performed surgeries alongside three local Honduran doctors, Dra. Miller, Dr. Velasquez, and Dr. Mancias. The surgeries performed addressed spine fractures, brain tumors, brain aneurysms, congenital deformities, and mostly, hydrocephalus. “Hydrocephalus is a condition that does not allow normal drainage of cerebral spinal fluid. The build up of fluid in the brain compromises brain activity and growth and will eventually lead to retardation and death. Because the government of Honduras does not recognize the necessity of providing hydrocephalic shunts, the families are responsible for purchasing these shunts. Shunts are not always available in Honduras and are too costly for the poor. Many children spend months in the hospital awaiting donated shunts. As the children wait for shunt placement, their cerebral spinal fluid accumulates causing pressure, large head, and brain damage.”
For more information:
About hydrocephalus: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/hydrocephalus/detail_hydrocephalus.htm
Where you can help: http://www.ccorazon.org/