International Health Service of Minnesota

International Health Service of Minnesota is a non-profit, all volunteer organization that has been providing medical, dental, surgical and eye care since 1982 in underserved areas of Honduras. Twice a year, over 50 volunteers head to Honduras to provide health care.

2023 Fall Medical Mission successfully completed!

A story from the field by Teri Houle, RN, IHS participant

La Mosquitia, Honduras, October, 2023

We’ve just returned with medical/dental & eye glass teams who worked in the remote areas along the northern “Mosquito Coast “ of Honduras. Our volunteers came from Honduras, Great Britain & US.

The Rio Kruta team traveled by boat 8 hrs. across the Caratasca Lagoon & on the Kruta River to the village of Tikiraya. We were there 3 days seeing about 200 pts./day in a medical clinic setting with a pharmacist & medicines. We returned to the river & traveled to the village of Lacatabila where we worked 2 days. We often see everyone as a family unit so may see 6-8 people together. A few small procedures were done with success. We also focus on individualized patient teaching based on problem areas.

The dental team saw ~60 pts./day & extracted decayed teeth.

The Eye glass team worked in the town of Puerto Lempira assessing needs & administered ~100 prescription glasses each day for a total of 600 patients served.

The teams gave 100+% and came with a variety of life experiences & training. We stayed, had meals & worked together in a close setting & have made lifelong friendships. A wonderful part of these missions is that these are such good people doing good work for those that really need the help.

“There is nothing stronger than The Heart of a volunteer” Gen. James H. Doolittle

Watch this 2 minute video, created by two volunteers, to learn about this essential service!

   Please donate today to support upcoming medical missions in 2024!