I work in the diving world, representing Divers Alert Network (DAN). So, the primary reason I am here in Honduras is to work with and support the physician that operates the hyperbaric chamber in La Ceiba. His name is Elmer Mejia. And I have to say, he is one of the good guys.

Dr. Mejia set up his chamber clinic just a few short months ago, but has already become part of the community. He is available to treat sport divers, but his primary clientele for his hyperbaric chamber are harvesting divers from La Moskitia. These divers dive to collect lobster and conch, but more about that later. For now, though, I will say he is operating one of the busiest chambers (already) in the Caribbean and is saving lives. There is no question about that.

But what amazes me is the thriving/booming family practice the man has created in a few short months as well. Dr. Mejia picked Dr. Nochetto and I up around 11 am and informed us that he had already seen 17 patients and was going to be treating a diver this afternoon. We passed up a dirt road and discovered a very comfortable clinic built out of small house in a slight hill. It was quiet when we arrived, but didn’t stay that way for long. While Dr. Mejia led us around and showed us his chamber, his staff prepared for a four hour treatment on the divers. After that got going, locals began streaming in the door, one and two at a time. They came to see the doctor.

Dr. Mejia’s clinic is in what he described as the poorest part of La Ceiba. He positioned it where he did for two reasons. He is within a few minutes of the airport in case an injured diver comes in that way. But, as he noted, he practices family medicine and he wanted to be where the people needed him. By the way, he said as many as three out of every 10 of his patients can’t afford to pay him for his services. But he treats them anyway. You might think he makes up for it by charging his paying patient’s more. That’s not the case, either. He does his best to keep the price low for everyone.

In a time when the cost and availability of medicine in the US is bringing people to blows and dividing neighbors, its pretty amazing to see a doctor who simply cares for his patients and their health. He just makes it work..

Dr. Matias Nochetto and I made it to La Ceiba Honduras safe and sound with no problems other than about an hour delay in Miami. Pretty minor in the grand scheme of things.

Dr. Elmer Mejia picked us up in the airport in San Pedro Sula and drove us the 2.5 hours to La Ceiba. We could have grabbed another flight over here, but Elmer offered to pick us up. He suggested the drive would help us see more of the country. Pretty fascinating trip. He warned us when we got in the car that he chose to bring his smaller car because crime around the airport is bad and people have been killed for their cars. Made for an interesting introduction to the country.

We passed what Matias and I both thought was a school. A fleet of retired American school buses out front were loading up what appeared to be high school-aged kids. After we got past Elmer explained that it wasn’t a school at all, but a textile factory and the company bused their employees to work and to their villages. As we drove on across the mountains toward the coast, we were stopped by police checkpoints four different times. Honduras has also become a waypoint for the drug trade coming up from South America so the federal police are out to stop it. Noble effort although I’m sure it’s a losing battle. This is all cocaine heading toward the US.

Don’t get me wrong, though. Everything here isn’t bad or scary. There is a lot positive going on, and I’ll write more about that later this week. This country is struggling no doubt, but I guess that is the point. We need to understand each other and the situation before we can truly appreciate what’s going on.

No pictures yet. Was just traveling all day. Should have something to show tomorrow though. Stay tuned.