Expedition report · November 2020

1st Expedition Reconnaissance

Name: 1st Expedition: Reconnaissance
Start: 2020-11-04
End: 2020-11-08
Location: Belterra

4 to November 8, 2020 · 5 daysBelterra

First expedition: 114 ultrasound exams and the start of partnership with Abaré

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appointmentsin 5 days of expedition: 114
volunteers: 6
hours donated: 192
in donated services: R$ 56k

Value of the services donated on this expedition: hours actually worked × the market rate for the specialty, reported by the volunteer or, failing that, the market average — the methodology of note 11 to the audited financial statements. Amounts in Brazilian reais.

About the expedition

Why perform ultrasounds and recognize the location?

As per our schedule, we completed all planned activities during this first expedition, achieving our objectives of field reconnaissance, establishing important contacts, and practicing ultrasound exams on the population of Belterra. Team travel and accommodations were carried out satisfactorily, with no risks to participants, and the agreements made in São Paulo for contracted support services functioned well.

We observed the difficulty these Brazilians face in accessing imaging exams, even through the Unified Health System.

Appointments

What was done, by category

114in total

Ultrasounds

Ultrasounds

100%

114

Highlights

What marked this expedition

The beginning of the partnership with the Abaré Floating Hospital

The Abaré is a floating hospital that greatly contributes to the Amazonian healthcare system, with clinical and pediatric consultation rooms, and facilities for surgical, dental, and endoscopy services. In this expedition, the main goal was to establish a long-term relationship with the boat.

Two years waiting for an ultrasound

There were 3 days of exams, during which we found patients with exam requests that had been pending from one to five years, with an average wait time of two years between the request and this action by ONG Zoé. In total, we performed 114 out of 124 scheduled exams, including 5 urgent cases.

A hospital with rooms lacking equipment

Belterra Hospital has a reasonable physical structure but lacks adequate resources: we found an ultrasound room without equipment, and the surgical center has high-quality tables but lacks lights and anesthesia carts. The participation of Nurse Marta and the Municipal Hospital of Belterra’s health agents was crucial in organizing the patients.