To follow the excellent letter by Ken regarding the board of director’s thoughts on sustainability, I would like to provide more information onthe charges at Hospitalito Atitlán. Below I list the base charges for a sample of the most common services provided. If a patient is not able to pay they are referred to the social worker for evaluation and she makes the decision as to what percentage of the bill the patient will be able to pay.
We know that there are many people in Santiago Atitlán and the surrounding area without recourses. There are men who are the sole providers for a family of six or more, and who earn the equivalent of $4.00 per day. There are also successful business owners, merchants, and hotel owners. People who own vehicles and pay $3.25 agallon for fuel.
In the past, those of the Atiteco middle class traveled to private hospitals for elective surgery.One must also keep in mind the cost of travel to the National Hospitalin Sololá, where it is said that care is provided for free, but in reality never is. With the rising cost of gasoline, the price of crossing the lake on the public boats has risen to Q10 per person, one way. When a family member is ill, it's customary for many family members travel to see the physician togather. Also, the faster boats charge Q15 per person, one way. It's also expensive to take the bus from the dock up to Sololá.
We know that H.A. will never be sustainable based soley on patient charges, but we do feel that those who have the resources to pay for services should be asked to do so. Thanks to all of you who are helping to make this possible.
--Lyn
Consultation...................Q10 ..................$1.33
Emergency....................Q25 ……............$3.35
Normal delivery.............Q300 ….............$40.00
Complicated delivery......Q1200…............$160.00
Ceserean.......................Q2,000…..........$265.00
We know that there are many people in Santiago Atitlán and the surrounding area without recourses. There are men who are the sole providers for a family of six or more, and who earn the equivalent of $4.00 per day. There are also successful business owners, merchants, and hotel owners. People who own vehicles and pay $3.25 agallon for fuel.
In the past, those of the Atiteco middle class traveled to private hospitals for elective surgery.One must also keep in mind the cost of travel to the National Hospitalin Sololá, where it is said that care is provided for free, but in reality never is. With the rising cost of gasoline, the price of crossing the lake on the public boats has risen to Q10 per person, one way. When a family member is ill, it's customary for many family members travel to see the physician togather. Also, the faster boats charge Q15 per person, one way. It's also expensive to take the bus from the dock up to Sololá.
We know that H.A. will never be sustainable based soley on patient charges, but we do feel that those who have the resources to pay for services should be asked to do so. Thanks to all of you who are helping to make this possible.
--Lyn
Consultation...................Q10 ..................$1.33
Emergency....................Q25 ……............$3.35
Normal delivery.............Q300 ….............$40.00
Complicated delivery......Q1200…............$160.00
Ceserean.......................Q2,000…..........$265.00
