This 1,140 square-foot primary care and triage facility is staffed by a full-time doctor, 3 nurses, 2 pharmacists - accredited by the Ministry of Health - our 4 administrative team, and driver. The Roberto Clemente Health Clinic supplies low-cost medical care to the isolated villages of Limon1 and 27 surrounding communities in southwest Nicaragua. Click here to see the map.

The Clinic is named for Roberto Clemente, who played baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955 to 1972, when he died trying to help the victims of the devastating Nicaragua earthquake.

Launched in 2004, the Clinic is the result of generous donations from private individuals, the volunteer efforts of the Rotary Club of Pittsburgh, The Oxford Club, and The Granados’ Family who donated the land.

The Roberto Clemente Clinic strives to educate the community on better health, as well as prevent diseases, cure viruses, and treat injuries and the chronic health problems endemic to this part of the world, where running water and flushing toilets are still quite rare.

The Clinic also treats emergency and life threatening cases where our team can stabilize a patient while they are transported to the main hospital in Rivas Nicaragua. In 2008 we started to build and grow our outreach programs. Now we visit schools, small health clinics and small towns bringing education, training and donations thoughout our volunteers. In 2009 we were able to reach more than 15,000 people including the patients who came to the clinic. We constantly receive doctors, nurses and many other volunteers who would like to help communities abroad in Nicaragua.

Nicaraguans have no access or only limited access to modern health care, especially in this area of the country. Widespread malnutrition, inadequate water and sewerage systems, and sporadic application of basic public health measures produced a national health profile typical of impoverished populations. Enteritis and other diarrheal diseases are among the leading causes of death. Pneumonia, tetanus, and measles, largely among children less than five years old, accounted for more than 10 percent of all deaths in Nicaragua.

The opening of our clinic means an expectant mother who lives in Limón and the 27 communities can easily access necessary prenatal care. It means an injured worker can quickly get safe, efficient medical treatment and prescriptions. Also, the residents of Limón can have a neighborhood doctor who can treat emergencies like allergic reactions, lacerations and asthma attacks, or even perform routine medical exams and testing.

Thanks to your donations we recently adquired an ambulance that has been a life saver for many people. The potential benefits of Clinica Roberto Clemente are limitless. When you volunteer abroad in Nicaragua you can enjoy many benefits. You will experience a great feeling of purpose and accomplishment, networking with new friends, learning things you can't get in a classroom and a new outlook on the world. We welcome you to volunteer in our clinic any time of the year. Please click here for more information.

http://www.nicaclinic.org/volunteer-abroad/volunteer-abroad.php