Hospitalito Atitlan

Many of the people we serve struggle daily to put food on the table, which is why they often ignore medical problems until they become life-threatening. Infant and maternal mortality in Sololá (the department where the Hospitalito is located) is among the highest in the Americas. Sixty-seven (67) percent of Maya children suffer from chronic malnutrition.

In the past, members of the community had to travel to the national hospital in Sololá, an arduous two hour trip – assuming that roads were passable and free from mudslides and debris. Even so, few or none of the staff there speak Tz’utujil. The long journey could be the difference between life and death for a woman in complicated labor or a very sick child. For too long, many local residents choose to remain at home and die rather than make the difficult journey.

Hospitalito Atitlan has provided the community with access to quality healthcare from professionals who speak their language. Committed to making services affordable to everyone, Their social workers evaluate patient and family resources and, if needed, provide free medical care for those with limited resources.

The health problems in the Atitlan area reflect those found in other poverty-stricken areas. Children suffer from significant respiratory and diarrheal illnesses as well as the chronic effects of malnutrition. Obstetrical issues are often complex with high levels of pre-eclampsia. Social issues impact the health of both mothers and their babies. Adults suffer from diabetes, hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) caused by open cook fires at home.

Their Services:
Hospitalito Atitlán has outpatient clinic weekdays from 8:30 – 5:00 pm (or whenever the last patient is seen). It is very difficult to get patients to come in unless they are sick, so screening and identification of high-risk individuals is done during every visit.

Medical staff sees adults and children in five exam rooms, providing acute/urgent care and preventive and treatment services for a wide range of conditions.

The Hospitalito provides a full-range of emergency and inpatient services, as well as obstetrical care.