Carmelita is a community located in Orange Creek, the southernmost and least populated district in Belize. The typical house in Carmelita is made of cement blocks and wood, and most of the community members work as artisans, merchants, assistants, and in construction and factories. The community also have a few grocery stores, small eateries, and a health post.
The most common illnesses seen in community members are hypertension, diabetes, flu, obesity, and joint pains. The top needs expressed by Carmelita inhabitants during their initial communications with Global Brigades include having a Health Post, building a Community Center, pluvial drainage and latrines.
Carmelita has no health centre or pharmacy in the community, with only 1 community health worker. Several families have artesian wells for water supply and do not use much water from the system because they do not want to pay a high rate. All the houses have gas stoves, and some also have traditional stoves outside their house to make traditional preparations. Some houses do not have sanitary stations (latrines or toilets).
Region: Orange Walk
When community members need medical attention, they go to Carmelita Health Centre. The health centre does not have a lab, and most of the time it is crowded, and people need to wait for long periods to see a doctor or a nurse. In some cases, the health centre does not have the medications people need, and they must buy in a private pharmacy at a high cost.
Total number of volunteers
Patient consultations
Medical brigades are often run in the community centre with a designated room or patio where the stations of the brigade can be run comfortably.
Average patients attended: 226
| Chapter | Date | # Of Volunteers | Chapter | Date | # Of Volunteers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California | March 2025 | 17 | |||
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. This program will soon be available in Carmelita.
Medical brigades are often run in the community centre with a designated room or patio where the stations of the brigade can be run comfortably.
Average patients attended: N/A
| Chapter | Date | # Of Volunteers | Chapter | Date | # Of Volunteers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|