Ajuterique

  • Overview
  • Medical
  • Dental

Overview

Ajuterique is located within the municipality of Ajuterique in the department of Comayagua in southern Honduras. The typical house is made of adobe, wood, cement blocks and bricks. Children in the community have access to primary and middle school. The community members of Ajuterique mostly work in agriculture, day labourers, artisans, growing coffee, and trading. The community doesn’t have a water system to provide drinking water to the community members. Still, it is closely working with Global Brigades to build and improve this area. The top needs expressed by Ajuterique‘s inhabitants during their initial communications with Global Brigades are a water system and improving living conditions.

Municipality: Ajuterique
Department: Comayagua

Homes : 2100
Population : 8080
Water System : Not Started
Community Bank : Not Started
Electricity : Yes
Health Center : Yes
Community Health Workers : Yes
Homes with Latrines : 14%
Education : Primary and middle school
Distance from Lodging Facility : 9 km

Medical

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

HEALTH CARE ACCESS

The Honduran government provides two different types of health centers throughout rural Honduras: Centros de Salud Médico Odontológico (CESAMOs) and Centros de Salud Rural (CESARs). CESAMOs are the larger of the two, often found in municipalities, and typically have at least one physician on staff at all times with nurses and potentially a dentist. CESARs are found sporadically in rural communities and generally have a single nurse available. Even with this coverage, it is important to note that medications, supplies, and materials are often not available in these health centers and the physician density in Honduras remains around 1,220 people for every one doctor. According to the World Health Organization, there should be a maximum of 435 people per physician to qualify a country with adequate access to medical attention.

Ajuterique has a community health care centre in their community adequately staffed with a doctor and a nurse. The community health centre is 5 km away from the community. The most common illnesses children face are the common cold, flu and diarrhoea. The most common illnesses seen in adults are hypertension and allergies.

31

Brigade Volunteers

451

Patient Consulations

256

Vision screenings provided

12

Health Education Workshops

COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS

The community of Ajuterique doesn’t have Community Health Workers. Global Brigades Honduras’ Medical Program is working diligently to train volunteers as CHWs in its partner communities as part of the Holistic Model. 

Community Health Workers, or Guardianes de Salud, work on a volunteer basis as advocates for health care within their communities. While this is an existing program in Honduras and Guardianes de Salud are identified by other organizations and some health centres, Global Brigades can bridge gaps in access to training and provide more comprehensive technical skills. Our CHWs are some of the very few Guardianes de Salud to receive certification from the Honduran government.

Our CHWs are tasked with treating and preventing common illnesses, and some of their responsibilities include first aid, supporting and caring for pregnancies and newborns, and responding to emergencies. They are also responsible for following up with chronic patients to ensure proper administration of medications and treatments to avoid further complications. Additionally, CHWs provide support for brigades that are hosted in their area. After their training, CHWs are equipped with basic medical supplies and equipment provided by Global Brigades and its partners.

The presence of these volunteers and their advocacy for health within their community contributes to the sustainability of health care supported by Global Brigades’ Medical Program and is one of the most impactful disease prevention strategies in rural communities across the globe.

BRIGADE INFORMATION:

Ajuterique is currently a medical site. Medical Brigades use the local school as their brigade site. The school has 5 rooms, where the various medical stations are conducted. 

AVERAGE PATIENTS ATTENDED: +400

NEARBY COMMUNITIES: N/A

BRIGADE SITE: Community School

MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS IN AJUTERIQUE:

Chapter Date # Of Volunteers Chapter Date # Of Volunteers
Northeastern University March 2024 31

Dental

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

DENTAL CARE ACCESS

Working closely with the Medical Program, the Dental Program provides fillings, extractions, and fluoride treatments as a standard part of Medical Brigades. Most community members do not have regular access to dental care due to the lack of a dentist within a reasonable distance.

92

Patient Consultations

27

Number of Extractions

54

Fillings Performed

12

Dental Education Workshops

BRIGADE INFORMATION:

Ajuterique is currently a medical site. Medical Brigades use the local school as their brigade site. The school has 5 rooms, where the various medical stations are conducted. 

AVERAGE PATIENTS ATTENDED: +400

NEARBY COMMUNITIES: N/A

BRIGADE SITE: Community School

DENTAL VOLUNTEERS IN AJUTERIQUE

Chapter Date # Of Volunteers Chapter Date # Of Volunteers
Northeastern University March 2024 31

Local Reference Points

View the map to see the closest volunteer lodging facilities, hospitals, and other relevant points of reference.

  • Feature