El Naranjal is located within the municipality of Distrito Central in the department of Francisco Morazán in central Honduras. The typical house is made of adobe, cement blocks, or wood. Children in the community have access to Centro Básico, or up to ninth grade. Most of the community members work in agriculture or day labor. The top needs expressed by El Naranjal’s inhabitants during their initial communications with Global Brigades include improvements to the community’s water purification plant, renovations to the health center, and access to dental health.HEALTH CARE ACCESS
The Honduran government provides two different types of health centers throughout rural Honduras: Centros de Salud Médico Odontológico (CESAMOs) and Centros de Salud Rural (CESARs). CESAMOs are the larger of the two, often found in municipalities, and typically have at least one physician on staff at all times with nurses and potentially a dentist. CESARs are found sporadically in rural communities and generally have a single nurse available. Even with this coverage, it is important to note that medications, supplies, and materials are often not available in these health centers and the physician density in Honduras remains around 1,220 people for every one doctor. According to the World Health Organization, there should be a maximum of 435 people per physician to qualify a country as having adequate access to medical attention.
There is a health center located in the community El Naranjal, CESAR Dispensario Médico. However, this health center only sometimes has the necessary medications. Th most common illnesses reported by community members include respiratory infections, skin allergies, diarrhea, hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory infections.
COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS
BRIGADE INFORMATION