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Interview with Dr. Carlos Durón: Frontline physician during the pandemic

COVID-19 has altered our entire world with more than a million physical, emotional, and financial devastations. As people find themselves under strict lockdowns and wear personal protective equipment to prevent infection, many essential front-line workers are risking their lives every day to contribute to the health and well being of our society.


For the November interview, I felt it was important to share the experiences of a front-line physician during the pandemic in order to be aware of the sacrifices that our doctors go through on a daily basis for our country’s well-being. I decided to interview Carlos Alberto Duron, Medical Officer working at the Joint Task Force-Bravo’s Surgeon Cell at the Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras. Dr. Durón (who happens to be an AST 1987 alumnus) is in charge of planning and providing medical assistance brigades for underprivileged sectors in Honduras as well as Central American countries. During the pandemic, he has experienced significant challenges with his everyday duties that he has shared with us today:


Dr. Carlos Durón, Joint Task Force-Bravo Honduran medical liaison, receives a family for consultation during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in Jocotán, Chiquimula, Guatemala, April 29, 2016.


As a physician, how has your life changed since the Covid-19 pandemic started? Is there anything particularly challenging with your “new lifestyle” that you believe is important to share?


"In my case, I will not deny that I feel frustrated when I see patients pass away. Although it is true that they are the minority, since most recover, it does not stop saddening me.


It is also frustrating to see colleagues die (who, like me, are on the front line) as it is also painful to lose friends and family members because of the pandemic.


I pray every day for the strength to carry on and I also seek strength and comfort from my family.

These are extraordinary times that many of us have never had to face prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the new physical, economic, and emotional challenges emerging from the pandemic, we have seen a mental health crisis unfold in children and adults. It is also not unusual to feel sad and disappointed about missing a family event or celebration and then almost instantly feel grateful for things like financial stability or good health."


What are some of the most rewarding parts of being an essential worker during these difficult times? What is keeping you going?


“While many people are staying home to slow the spread of the pandemic, essential workers are risking their lives to keep society afloat during these unprecedented times. Maintaining and transmitting optimism to patients and their families is medicine and an enormous privilege. We took that oath the day we graduated as physicians and that is why I ask the population not to avoid going to the emergency services because of fear of the coronavirus. Many people are afraid to go to emergency rooms, due to the misconception that they will get coronavirus. However, emergency rooms are safe, as many precautions are being taken to avoid contamination. It's dangerous to avoid emergency services, especially when you could be having a heart attack or stroke. My hope is to remain in good physical and mental health to continue contributing to my country's efforts to overcome the pandemic as it is my vocation and duty.”


On a personal note, how would you consider the way Honduras has approached the pandemic?


“I believe that the Government of Honduras has done what it can do, with the resources it has. Nothing is perfect and everyone has been learning as the pandemic advances.


Up to November 9, 2020, Honduras possesses one of the highest fatality rates in the region, with 2,765 confirmed deaths out of a total of 100,573 cases. The government has facilitated the mass purchase of PCR tests, rapid tests and antigen detection tests, to detect COVID-19. Comprehensive care brigades at the community level are an excellent idea for the early detection of cases and their timely treatment.”

When compared to other Central American countries, how are we performing statistically? What are some significant differences? Feel free to share any graphs (if you have them).


“Honduras is in the third place of cases reported in Central America.


In general, all Central American countries, except perhaps two, have promoted social distancing by decree, mandatory quarantines, curfews that limit population mobility, the mandatory use of masks in public, among other measures. They have decreed subsidies to strategic productive sectors and extensions of service payments.


The differences have a lot to do with the amount of tests that are carried out in each country. For example, Panama and Guatemala report more cases than Honduras, but they carry out more tests, almost double, sometimes triple what is carried out daily in Honduras. Costa Rica also doubles the number of tests performed in Honduras, however, the number of positive cases is less than those reported daily by Honduras (see graph), due to the fact that the population has adhered with discipline to the recommendations of the government and health professionals.


However, we see that almost all the Central American countries follow a similar pattern in the positivity curve. A plateau was reached in late August and early September, but it is expected that by the end of October, cases will increase again as a result of the economic reopening. The governments of Central America must be vigilant and act accordingly.”





If there’s anything particularly important that you’d like to share to current AST students, please feel free to use this space to do so.


“That we take care of ourselves, exercise daily to stay healthy physically and mentally. This is not the first nor will it be the last pandemic that humanity will face, but we will overcome it if we maintain discipline and if we follow the recommendations of the government and the Ministry of Health.


There will always be a solution for every problem, a smile and a hug (even if it is virtual) in the face of sadness.


We will move forward, stronger than ever, as we have proven throughout history!”



COVID-19 has definitely been a challenge for the entire world, but more so for all the essential workers like Dr. Duron who risk their lives every day to contribute to their country’s efforts to overcome the pandemic.


On behalf of the Eagle Chronicles and the entire AST community, we would like to say thank you to all workers out there who are currently fighting for us and the improvement of our current situation.


For further inquiries:


V/R


Carlos A. Durón


Medical Officer


JTF-Bravo, Honduras


e-mail: carlos.a.duron2.fn@mail.mil


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