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HOSPITALITO ATITLÁN HISTORY
Santiago Atitlán has some of the highest infant and child mortality rates in Latin America. Out of every 1000 children, 37 die at birth and 54 die before they reach the age of 5. Out of 1000 pregnancies, an astounding 190 women die as a result of maternal complications. The leading cause of death among both the very young and elderly is untreated pneumonia, respiratory infections and severe intestinal diseases. The Hospitalito was first conceived in the mid-1960's, after a devastating outbreak of measles killed over 600 children during a one month period.  1964 Jose Atas Reanda cutting the first stone to build the first Hospitalito Atitlán. 
During Guatemala's civil war, the military established a base on the road near the hospital. As tensions between the military and the community mounted, the staff was afraid to spend the night at the hospital and patients refused to venture past the military barracks to receive treatment.
On December 2, 1990, thirteen villagers were killed at the entrance to military base as they peacefully protested the soldiers’ behavior in their town. The “Massacre of Santiago Atitlán ” is memorialized with a mass on the 2nd of every month in the Peace Park erected at the location. After the Massacre and as the war continued, financial support ended and the hospital buildings were abandoned. 
Over the years the buildings were heavily vandalized. The electrical wiring, plumbing, windows and doors were removed. While the well-built stone walls remained intact, the roof and internal structures were seriously compromised. The land was deeded to the Municipalidad de Santiago Atitlán, “for the benefit of the people.”
In the spring of 2003, four local community leaders began discussing the feasibility of reopening the Hospitalito Santiago Atitlán. These Tz’tujil doctors and administrators decided early on that the success of the Hospitalito depended upon its political independence and governance by the local community. With few resources outside of their dreams, these leaders formed the civic committee, Comite K’aslimaal (“Life” in the Tz’tujil language). Immediately, K´aslimaal was greeted with enthusiastic and concrete pledges of support from the community. The office of the Alcalde de la Municipalidad de Santiago Atitlán provided assistance as did religious/social groups, schools and the business community. The members of K´aslimaal decided that there was sufficient community concern and support for the idea to proceed. The Comite grew to include other community leaders and was formally recognized by the town authorities in June 2003. As a first step, this all-volunteer organization negotiated a 50-year lease with the Municipalidad and set up operations in donated office space. Soon, a computer, lumber and cans of paint began arriving at their office door. |
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Individuals and groups stepped forward offer their volunteer labor. A hospital planner with experience in Zambia read an ad on the internet and volunteered six months of her expertise, a local recording studio volunteered to record radio spots to inform the community of volunteer opportunities, a tamale sale was held by townswomen during a town festival to raise money. A U.S. pediatrician, hearing of the needs, donated an ultra-sound machine. Another organization shipped it for free. The Hospitalito was clearly a focal point of growing interest and involvement.
Realizing that they would need considerably more resources than were at hand to renovate, open and operate the Hospitalito; K’aslimaal established a strategic partnership with Pueblo a Pueblo, Inc. to locate resources for the new hospital. With the support of the town municipality and local community, the Hospitalito’s rebirth began. After two years of hard work, on April 1, 2005, the whole town celebrated the opening of the Hospitalito Atitlán. For the first time in fifteen years the village and surrounding communities had access to 24/7 emergency, inpatient and surgical care. |
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A mere six months later, on October 5, 2005 the Hospitalito stood in the path
of devastating mudslides that turned Panabaj into a gravesite.
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Hospitalito Video
Video of Disaster and the Road to Recovery with Dra. Irene Quieju dailup broadband |
| The disastrous mudslides on October 5th killed hundreds and left thousands homeless. K’aslimaal rented a backpack hotel and the staff began providing 24/7 emergency care. On October 21st, the first surgery in the temporary location, an emergency C-section, saved the live of mother and infant. |
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The Hospitalito provided free medical care to the victims of the disaster. All the children who were living in the shelters were brought in for health care evaluations and treatment. The Search and Rescue Squad were immunized against Hepatitis B and the hospital employees who lost their homes were helped with their immediate needs. K’aslimaal and Pueblo a Pueblo worked in all areas of the community to respond to the disaster.
Within six months, the Government of Guatemala declared Panabaj to be uninhabitable. Since the backpack hotel was only a stop-gap measure in response to the disaster, K’aslimaal began planning for a permanent hospitalito. With the assistance of donors, they purchased property in a geologically safe location. As Santiago Atitlán rebounds, with the help of our many supporters and the determination of the town’s citizens, the dream of a permanent Hospitalito Atilán will be realized. Prior to the disaster, many people donated their time, energy and resources to realize the common goal of reopening the Hospitalito Atitlán in Panabaj. Local community leaders were devoted to the planning and coordination. Local businesses supported the effort. Church groups, schools, social organizations, soccer teams – adults and children from the community volunteered countless days of labor to the renovation process. The people of Santiago would like to acknowledge the generous support of many volunteer groups and caring people who have worked side by side to realize this dream. While the Panabaj facility is lost, the friendships and fond memories remain. Construction has begun and we look forward to the continuing support of donors and volunteers. Thank you for what you have done and thank you for continuing to care. |
Medical Volunteers
Non-Medical Volunteers
Donation page
Pueblo a Pueblo Inc.
2003