The final day of the public health conference at UNAN University in Managua met us early with sunshine coming through my bedroom window. After a breakfast of traditional gallo pinto (fried rice and beans) and eggs, we arrived to first meet with the group of 10 or so "promotores," community health workers, from our area on the island of Ometepe. They shared with us some of their goals and how Natural Doctors International may collaborate with them. They would specifically like to share and learn more about the use and dosing of traditional medicinal herbs. Some are using plants available to them such as basil, garlic, lime and others already but some "promotores" have not been trained in the use of herbs and would like to have this resource available. They suggested that NDI could help train them and put together a packet they could integrate into their work. They also posed that NDI could host a meeting every other month to help with this training, providing food and transportation as they lack funding. We also discussed the possibility of the Naturopathic Physicians working one-on-one with the "promotores" to help fill in some of the gaps in their training. A place to start would be to help them learn to take blood pressures, the appropriate use of antibiotics especially in Upper Respiratory Tract Infections and Urinary Tract Infections and basic skills to help them evaluate the need to transport a patient to emergency care. They also lack basic equipment such as blood pressure cuffs and glucometers.
When the larger group of over 30 "promotores" representing groups across the country convened, the entire group democratically voted on a new name. They each "promotore" present wrote their vote on a ballot and a small group pulled them form a hat one at a time, as a man showed the entire group each ballot as the tally was counted on the white board. A powerpoint presentation was shown displaying the year's finances and then the groups strengths. This group sees their strength in numbers/human resources as they have many inspired and devoted volunteers helping better their own communities health. They also value the democratic process as seen in the popular education model prevalent throughout the conference; everyone was involved and there were many opportunities for discussions, comments and observations as well as group activities. They also see their relationship with the government, the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health and church leaders as a strength.
When the larger group of over 30 "promotores" representing groups across the country convened, the entire group democratically voted on a new name. They each "promotore" present wrote their vote on a ballot and a small group pulled them form a hat one at a time, as a man showed the entire group each ballot as the tally was counted on the white board. A powerpoint presentation was shown displaying the year's finances and then the groups strengths. This group sees their strength in numbers/human resources as they have many inspired and devoted volunteers helping better their own communities health. They also value the democratic process as seen in the popular education model prevalent throughout the conference; everyone was involved and there were many opportunities for discussions, comments and observations as well as group activities. They also see their relationship with the government, the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health and church leaders as a strength.
The group then brainstormed goals for 2012, some of which included learning more about or focusing on the following:
· Self-breast exams
· Tuberculosis
· Dentistry
· Traditional Medicine (MASIRAAN) – I have a powerpoint describing MASIRAAN
· Myths, realities, taboos about medicine
· Midwifery training
· Training in cervical uterine cancer
· PAPs
· A reunion with ND’s – specifically the Ometepe group was seeking this opportunity
More about this group of Nicaraguan community health workers:
The group “Atencion Primaria en Salud”, recently changed to ASHA (Acceso a Salud: Health Access), is a democratic, Nicaraguan run non-governmental organization. It began in 1996 and now is comprised of over 300 volunteer community health workers or “promotores”. These volunteers work in the communities in which they live spread across Nicaragua in 11 different municipalities. They work towards the prevention and cure of disease in their populations. Their mission is to collaborate in placing knowledge and empowerment in the hands of their communities.
There are community health workers in the following municipalities; Moyogalpa, Altagracia, La Conquista, El Crucero, Santa Teresa, San Francisco Libre, Mulukuku, Bonanza, District 6.1 and Tipitapa. Over 30 of these community health workers attended this annual meeting in Managua.
One of the projects ASHA is currently undergoing is the distribution of medicines to each community health worker through “Botiquines,” or first aid kits which include basic medicines such as; amoxicillin, acetaminophen, metronidazole and oral rehydration solution. They also hold workshops which they are hoping to expand in the coming years.
· Self-breast exams
· Tuberculosis
· Dentistry
· Traditional Medicine (MASIRAAN) – I have a powerpoint describing MASIRAAN
· Myths, realities, taboos about medicine
· Midwifery training
· Training in cervical uterine cancer
· PAPs
· A reunion with ND’s – specifically the Ometepe group was seeking this opportunity
More about this group of Nicaraguan community health workers:
The group “Atencion Primaria en Salud”, recently changed to ASHA (Acceso a Salud: Health Access), is a democratic, Nicaraguan run non-governmental organization. It began in 1996 and now is comprised of over 300 volunteer community health workers or “promotores”. These volunteers work in the communities in which they live spread across Nicaragua in 11 different municipalities. They work towards the prevention and cure of disease in their populations. Their mission is to collaborate in placing knowledge and empowerment in the hands of their communities.
There are community health workers in the following municipalities; Moyogalpa, Altagracia, La Conquista, El Crucero, Santa Teresa, San Francisco Libre, Mulukuku, Bonanza, District 6.1 and Tipitapa. Over 30 of these community health workers attended this annual meeting in Managua.
One of the projects ASHA is currently undergoing is the distribution of medicines to each community health worker through “Botiquines,” or first aid kits which include basic medicines such as; amoxicillin, acetaminophen, metronidazole and oral rehydration solution. They also hold workshops which they are hoping to expand in the coming years.
All in all it was an inspiring weekend to see this group come together to strengthen each other and their communities, work towards better healthcare access for all and display a fair and valuable democratic process. As I watched the sunset from the ferry back to my community on Ometepe, I was thankful to have participated in this weekend on behalf of Natural Doctors International.
For more information or to make suggestions or donations, please contact me at [email protected].
For more information or to make suggestions or donations, please contact me at [email protected].