Elbin Antonio Cruz

End Date: Aug 31, 2016 12:00 AM

BACKGROUND: Elbin was found during a medical brigade at San Agustin, Namasigüe, another community located in the south of our country. He lives with his parents and three siblings. His house has the basic facilities for living such as water, light, letrine, and hygiene station. His father works at the sugar mill in the south of the country, and they have an estimated income of $45 per week. When the sugar mill working season ends, his father cultivates corn in their house and sells a part of it, and the other part is for everyday house usage. Elbin came to the medical brigade looking for a medical check up for his condition. He has a nasal tumor which has evolved throughout the past 4 years. He says he has recurrent nosebleeds, nasal obstruction, watery eyes and headache. He told us that his condition has gotten worse to the extreme he had to stop working. He previously worked at the sugar mill, but not anymore especially because of his constant headaches due to his medical condition and sun exposure.

Call to Action
After being referred from the medical brigade to the nearest hospital, Hospital del Sur, Elbin was referred to the main hospital in Honduras located in Tegucigalpa, Hospital Escuela Universitario. Here, an ENT doctor saw him and determined he needs a surgery as soon as possible. In order to define the type of surgery he needs a CT scan, which, due to his lack of economic resources, he hasn’t been able to get. A CT scan costs approximately $200 in a private hospital (public hospitals don’t offer this procedure).

NEXT STEPS: Elbin was able to receive the surgery he needed! Stay tuned for more updates on his progress to recovery.