Asuncion Manzanares

  • Overview
  • Medical
  • Dental

Overview

Asuncion Manzanares is located in central Guatemala. The typical house is made of adobe, cement blocks, and bricks. Children in the community have access to primary school. Currently, the community doesn’t have a water system but the municipality of Chimaltenango is trying to build a water project for the community. Most of the community members work in agriculture, arts and crafts, and skilled labour. 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 Medical Brigades, access to education, and a water system construction.

Municipality: Chimaltenango

Department: Chimaltenango

Homes : 131
Population : 800
Water System : Not Started
Community Bank : Not Started
Electricity : Yes
Health Center : No
Community Health Workers : Not Started
Education : Up to primary school
Distance from Lodging Facility : 4 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 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 Asuncion Manzanares have access to a Centro Comunitario de Salud, which is within 2 KM of the community. In this community centre, they have access to medical aid and medication 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 fever, cough, and stomachache.

24

Total number of volunteers

422

Patient Consultations

171

Vision screenings provided

30

Health Education Workshops

BRIGADE INFORMATION:

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

AVERAGE PATIENTS FROM THE COMMUNITY: +300

BRIGADE SITE: Community School

MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS IN ASUNCION MANZANARES:

Chapter Date # Of Volunteers Chapter Date # Of Volunteers
Virginia Tech Medical January 2023 24

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.

74

Patient Consultations

96

Number of Extractions

23

Dental Education Workshops

BRIGADE INFORMATION:

Medical and Dental Brigades use the local school as their brigade site. The school has 5 rooms, where the various medical stations are conducted.

AVERAGE PATIENTS ATTENDED: +300

BRIGADE SITE: Community School

DENTAL VOLUNTEERS IN ASUNCION MANZANARES:

Chapter Date # Of Volunteers Chapter Date # Of Volunteers
Virginia Tech University January 2023 24

Local Reference Points

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

  • Feature