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 La Cumbre San Juan have access to a health centre in their community within 1 KM of distance, 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.