La Valdeza

  • Overview
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Water
  • Business
  • Public Health

Overview

La Valdeza is a small community located in Capira, West Panama Province, Panama. Global Brigades began working with community members in 2019. La Valdeza does not have access to a water system and is working closely with Global Brigades to design a system that provides clean water to all community members. The materials are the majority of homes made out of are Cement Blocks and Bricks and agriculture is the primary occupations in the community. The community has a health post and children have access to education up to middle school. Community members expressed they need improvements in the health post and a water system.

Province: Capira

District: West Panama

Homes : 230
Population : 920
Water System : No
Community Bank : Not Started
Electricity : Yes
Health Center : No
Community Health Workers : Not Started
% of Homes with Latrines : 17%
Education in the Community : Up to middle school

Medical

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

HEALTH CARE ACCESS:

Even though Panama is a country with a lot of economic growth, this growth does not apply equally to all Panamanians, especially those in rural areas. This results in stark inequality when it comes to healthcare access. The Panamanian Ministry of Health (MINSA) provides two different types of health facilities throughout rural Panama: Centros de Salud and Puestos de Salud. Centros 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. Puestos are found sporadically in rural communities and generally have a single nurse available. 

251

Medical Volunteers

1,928

Patient Consultations

251

Health Education Workshops

Health Post : No
Community Health Workers : Not Started

COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS:

La Valdeza doesn’t have Community Health Workers in training yet but Global Brigades is actively working on implementing this program. Community Health Workers, or Agentes Comunitarios en Salud (ACeS), work on a volunteer basis as advocates for healthcare within their communities. Their primary responsibilities include: educating community members to prevent common illnesses, providing emergency first aid, supporting pregnant mothers and newborns, and following up with chronic patients. The presence of these volunteers and their advocacy for health within their community contributes to the sustainability of healthcare supported by Global Brigades’ Medical Program and is one of the most impactful disease prevention strategies in rural communities.

MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS IN LA VALDEZA:

Chapter Date # Of Volunteers Chapter Date # Of Volunteers
Marquette University Medical January 2019 38 University of Texas Austin Medical May 2019 34
 Saint Louis University Medical January 2020 37 Duke University Medical March 2022 20
University of Arkansas Medical January 2024 46 Methodist College Medical May 2024 16
Mount Allison University Medical May 2025 17

Dental

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

DENTAL CARE ACCESS

A dental Charla in a community in Panama

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 dentists within a reasonable distance.

759

Patient Consultations

259

Number of Extractions

363

Fluoride Treatments

76

Fillings Performed

183

Dental Education Workshops

DENTAL VOLUNTEERS IN LA VALDEZA:

Chapter Date # Of Volunteers Chapter Date # Of Volunteers
Marquette University Medical January 2019 38 University of Texas Austin Medical May 2019 34
 Saint Louis University Medical January 2020 37 Duke University Medical March 2022 20
Florida State University May 2022 13 Florida State University May 2023 30
University of Arkansas Medical January 2024 46  Methodist College Medical May 2024 16
Mount Allison University Medical May 2025 17

Water

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

Global Brigades is working on the implementation of the Holistic Model in La Valdeza but has not yet begun with the Water Program. If there is a need, the Water Program will begin implementing a new water system or any necessary repairs to existing infrastructure as soon as feasible.

Water System : No
% Homes with Access to Water : N/A
Water Council : N/A

Business

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

Global Brigades is working on the implementation of the Holistic Model in La Valdeza but has not yet begun with the Business Program. The implementation of microfinance literacy will start as soon as feasible.

 

Public Health

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

Global Brigades is working on the implementation of the Holistic Model in La Valdeza but has not yet begun with the Public Health Program. The implementation of public health services and the improvement of infrastructure will start as soon as feasible.

% Homes with Latrines : N/A
% Homes with Eco-Stoves : N/A
% Homes with Water FIlters : N/A
% Homes with concrete floors : N/A
% Homes with bath/showers : N/A
Common House Materials : N/A

Local Reference Points

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

  • Feature