Healing Solidarity in the Midst of Crisis

By Catherine Flanagan

Upon entering the chapel, it was apparent that this opening ceremony was going to be different from the others I had experienced on a Multi-Specialty Mission Trip (MSMT).  As chaplains Marcela Canedo and Ted Johnson invited us to leave our everyday lives behind and enter into mission and the Bolivian experience, it was also apparent that the reality of life for our patients was very different.  Not just different from our lives in the United States, but different than it had been here in Bolivia just a year ago.

The newspapers scattered across the floor of the chapel were in stark contrast to the otherwise peaceful ambiance evoked by the soft music and flickering candles. They screamed headlines of the current crises confronting Bolivia and its people. 

Bolivia is reeling from an economic crisis, wildfires devastating its environment, rising crime—particularly against women and children—and political unrest as the 2025 presidential election looms. Each of these crises has a direct impact on the patients we are here to serve.

The economic crisis, however, casts the longest shadow. It has affected everyone in Bolivia but its toll on our patients, many of whom have few economic resources to begin with, is particularly harsh. The devaluation of the boliviano means that even basic necessities have become unaffordable, making healthcare access nearly impossible for many.

At Vinto Hospital, we came face-to-face with these challenges. Patients told us how they can no longer afford the medications they have been prescribed, turning instead to cheaper unproven and often fraudulent remedies. Doctors shared how the devalued currency has severely reduced their ability to purchase essential medications, supplies, and equipment.   One of the most poignant issues we can directly address during our time here is the shortage of medical equipment.

Our surgical team, made up of surgeon Dr. Ellen Eye, anesthesiologist Dr. Debra Jones, and surgical nurse Jen Gentile, along with Bolivian counterparts including Dr. Roberto C. Mamani, will perform 14 gynecological surgeries this week. Dr. Mamani is particularly excited to have access to a laparoscopic tower. For the past two years, he has had no choice but to perform open abdominal surgeries because the hospital lacked this equipment. The difference is profound.

An open abdominal hysterectomy, for example, requires a long hospital stay, causes more pain and scarring, increases the risk of infection, and demands weeks of rest and recovery. Laparoscopic surgery, on the other hand, leads to a general level of recovery in just a few days. For our patients, who range in age from 13 to 96, this technology is life-changing.

Take 13-year-old Melany; for her, the opportunity to receive laparoscopic surgery means missing only a few days of school rather than weeks. For 96-year-old Gordillo, the reduced risk of infection could be the difference between life and death. In both cases, and countless others, this equipment allows patients to heal faster and return to their lives more quickly, without the physical and financial burdens of prolonged recovery.

But all of these patients share an additional burden—the financial strain caused by Bolivia’s ongoing economic crisis. Without the support of Solidarity Bridge and Puente de Solidaridad, it is unlikely they would be able to afford these procedures at all. Our partner doctors have expressed a clear need for more mission trips, medical campaigns, and more equipment donations to keep pace with the growing demand for care.

As we continue to focus on training in advanced surgical techniques, the donation of equipment has become an equally essential service. In the current climate, with the economic crisis deepening, these donations are more critical than ever. Hospitals are struggling, patients are suffering, and the need is only growing.

Yet, in the face of all these challenges, there is hope. We not only provide immediate surgical care but focus on equipping Bolivian medical professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to perform these procedures independently. By training local doctors and nurses, we ensure that the work continues long after we leave. With the support of donors and partners from North to South, we will continue to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Bolivia. Together, we will weather these storms, continuing to provide healing and hope for those who need it most.