1. What are some of the common reasons (or afflictions) that cause people in the Dominican Republic to seek out medical care? 

Medical care in the Dominican Republic can be expensive and hard to access due to a lack of providers in many areas. As a result, many people choose to treat minor illnesses at home and may only seek out medical care in the event of an emergency. In most cases, a patient is fairly ill or severly injured before they arrive at a medical center. During our medical brigade, many of the patients we saw simply don't see a doctor on a regular basis. Because of this, when the doctor does come around, they may go for a minor illness to receive medication that they don't receive frequently. Most of the medications we distributed were for diabetes, minor pain relief (Tylenol and Ibuprofen), and blood pressure. These are not necessarily medical emergencies, so many people wouldn't go to a medical center for them. The medical brigade is essential for providing medications for minor illnesses that could quickly become severe. 

2. How does service to communities lacking adequate medical care work? 

One of the primary ways small communities without medical care receive it is through medical brigades. Medical brigades are staffed by volunteers like us, as well as several nurses and a doctor. We worked as a team to staff several stops throughout our makeshift clinic throughout the day. At the end of a trip to the clinic, the patients left with diagnoses and medications. Because these medical brigades do not happen often, when they do happen, it is important to ensure patients have access to the medications they may need. 

3. What efforts are currently in place to ensure better access to healthcare for those who live in the Dominican Republic? 

Medical center construction is a big one. One of the largest barriers to receiving healthcare in the DR is the lack of medical centers near each community. To combat this issue, organizations like 7 Elements are currently constructing new medical centers. Another problem is the lack of affordable healthcare and lack of frequency in visits from doctors who are affordable. As a solution to this, the doctor that we met leads his own medical bridgages in several communities at affordable rates. However, he cannot make it to every community as frequently as he would like. Ideally in the future, more doctors will be affordable and frequently visit a variety of communities.