Why Honduras?
Honduras is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.
According to a WHO & UNICEF report:
- 16% of the population is not expected to survive to age 40,
- 38% of the people are without access to health care,
- Over 51% of families in rural Honduras live in extreme poverty; under $1.00 per person per day,
- Adult literacy is 71% among the lower middle class, and
- Only 30% of the population has access to sanitation
Health in Honduras:
- 10,000 people to every 5 Physicians
- Second highest infant mortality rates in Central America
- 11% of infant deaths occur from diarrhea: an easily preventable & curable illness
- 4% of children are underweight
- 1 Hospital bed per 1,000 people
- Total expenditure on health as % of GDP: 6.2%
There is tremendous need for medical aid and a sustainable health care system.
Central American Medical Outreach currently works with the western regional hospital, Hospital de Occidente, in Santa Rosa de Copán, Honduras. It also provides aid to surrounding clinics and villages.
