Aldea Varituc

  • Overview
  • Medical
  • Dental

Overview

Aldea Varituc is located in central Guatemala. The typical house is made of adobe, cement blocks, wood, and zinc. Children in the community have access to primary school and a health centre. Currently, the community has a water system, but it doesn’t work well and is in need of improvement, the community leaders are hoping to get the support of the municipality and other entities to improve the water system they have and/or build another one in the near future. Most of the community members work in agriculture and artisans. The languages spoken in the community are Spanish and Kaqchikel. During initial communications with Global Brigades, community leaders expressed that their top three needs were access to medical brigades to get medical consultations and medications, access to education, a water system improvement and construction, and improving public health services.

Municipality: San Martín Jilotepeque

Department: Chimaltenango

Homes : 800
Population : 2500
Water System : Not Started
Community Bank : Not Started
Electricity : Yes
Health Center : Yes
Community Health Workers : Not Started
Education : Up to primary school
Distance from Lodging Facility : 30 KM

Medical

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

HEALTH CARE ACCESS:

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

Community members in Aldea Varituc have access to a health centre in their community but the services provided do not meet the needs of the community, if they experience more pressing health issues, they have to travel to the nearest community to get medical aid. During initial communications with Global Brigades, community leaders shared that the most common illnesses were diarrhea, fever, cough, joint and muscle pain, and stomachaches.

19

Volunteers

161

Patient Consultations

N/A

Vision screenings provided

15

Health Education Workshops

BRIGADE INFORMATION:

Medical Brigades use the local school as their brigade site. The school has 6 rooms, where the various medical stations are conducted. 

AVERAGE PATIENTS ATTENDED: N/A

BRIGADE SITE: Community School

MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS IN ALDEA VARITUC:

Chapter Date # Of Volunteers Chapter Date # Of Volunteers
Old Dominion University May 2023 19

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 dentists within a reasonable distance.

N/A

Patient Consultations

N/A

Number of Extractions

N/A

Fillings Performed

N/A

Dental Education Workshops

BRIGADE INFORMATION:

Medical Brigades use the local school as their brigade site. The school has 6 rooms, where the various medical stations are conducted. 

AVERAGE PATIENTS ATTENDED: N/A

BRIGADE SITE: Community School

MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS IN CASERIO CHIPOC:

Chapter Date # Of Volunteers Chapter Date # Of Volunteers
Old Dominion University May 2023 19

Local Reference Points

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

  • Feature