Agua Escondida

  • Overview
  • Medical
  • Dental

Overview

Agua Escondida is located within central Guatemala. The typical house is made of adobe, cement blocks, or wood. Children in the community have access to primary school. There is a gravity water system in the community that was constructed 28 years ago. Most of the community members work in agriculture. The languages spoken in the community are Spanish, Kaqchikel, and Quiche. During initial communications with Global Brigades, community leaders expressed that their top three needs were Medical Brigades, access to basic sanitation, and a water system renovation.

Municipality: Tecpán Guatemala

Department: Chimaltenango

Homes : 240
Population : 1200
Water System : Yes
Community Bank : No
Electricity : Yes
Health Center : Yes
Community Health Workers : No
Number of Children under 12 : 150
Education : Up to 6th Grade
Distance from Lodging Facility : 11 km

Medical

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

HEALTH CARE ACCESS:

Tecpán Guatemala is a municipality of the Chimaltenango department situated 87 kilometers west of Guatemala City. Over 90% of the population in the municipality are part of Mayan indigenous groups. Public health care in Guatemala falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare (MSPAS) which has 2,200 service units across the country.  Even with this coverage, it is important to note that medications, supplies, and materials are often not available. Health worker density in rural communities is to 3.0 per 10,000 persons as opposed to 25.7 to 10,000 in urban areas of Guatemala. There are major gaps in health care services between rural indigenous and urban populations in Guatemala.

Community members in Agua Escondida  have access to a health center in their community, but the services provided do not meet the needs of the community. During initial communications with Global Brigades, community leaders shared that the most common illnesses were malnutrition, parasites, and cough.

48

Volunteers

606

Patient Consultations

121

Vision Screenings Provided

24

Health Education Workshops

BRIGADE INFORMATION:

Medical Brigades use the local school as their brigade site. The school has 10 rooms, where the various medical stations are conducted. Patients from other nearby communities of Zaculeu and La Loma may also attend Medical Brigades in Agua Escondida.

AVERAGE PATIENTS ATTENDED: 402

NEARBY COMMUNITIES: Zaculeu, La Loma

BRIGADE SITE: Community School

MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS IN AGUA ESCONDIDA:

Chapter Date # Of Volunteers
Pennsylvania State University & Syracuse Area Medical Brigade January 2020 34
New Mexico State University Medical Brigade December 2021 14

Dental

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

DENTAL CARE  ACCESS:

In 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 dentist within a reasonable distance.

195

Patient Consultations

148

Number of Extractions

68

Fillings Performed

15

Dental Education Workshops

BRIGADE INFORMATION:

Dental Brigades use the local school as their brigade site. The school has 10 rooms, where the various medical stations are conducted. Patients from other nearby communities of Zaculeu, La Loma may also attend Medical Brigades in Agua Escondida.

AVERAGE PATIENTS ATTENDED: 402

NEARBY COMMUNITIES: Zaculeu, La Loma

BRIGADE SITE: Community School

DENTAL VOLUNTEERS IN AGUA ESCONDIDA:

Chapter Date # Of Volunteers
Pennsylvania State University & Syracuse Area Medical Brigade January 2020 34
New Mexico State University Medical Brigade December 2021 14

Local Reference Points

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

  • Feature