Palama

  • Overview
  • Medical
  • Dental

Overview

Palama is located within central Guatemala. The typical house is made of adobe, cement blocks, and bricks. Children in the community have access to primary school. The community has a water system that was built with the help of the municipality. Most of the community members work in agriculture, arts and crafts, and skilled labour. The languages spoken in the community are Spanish and Kaqchikel. During initial communications with Global Brigades, community leaders expressed that their top three needs were Medical Brigades, access to education, and water system construction.

Municipality: Tecpan

Department: Chimaltenango

Homes : 700
Population : 4000
Water System : Yes
Community Bank : Not Started
Electricity : Yes
Health Center : Yes
Community Health Workers : Not Started
Education : Up to primary school
Distance from Lodging Facility : 24 KM

Medical

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

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 Palama have access to a health post within 1 KM of the community. Here, they can get a doctor´s appointment and medication 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.

14

Total number of volunteers

305

Patient Consultations

61

Health Education Workshops

BRIGADE INFORMATION:

Medical Brigades use the local school as their brigade site. The school has 5 rooms, where the various medical stations are conducted. Other people from communities nearby like San Vicente might also attend Palama to join the medical brigades.

AVERAGE PATIENTS ATTENDED: +300,000

NEARBY COMMUNITIES: Aldea San Vicente

BRIGADE SITE: Community School

MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS IN PALAMA:

Chapter Date # Of Volunteers Chapter Date # Of Volunteers
Western Kentucky University July 2021 14

Dental

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

DENTAL CARE  ACCESS:

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 dentist within a reasonable distance.

89

Patient Consultations

168

Number of Extractions

N/A

Fillings Performed

126

Fluoride Treatments

BRIGADE INFORMATION:

Medical Brigades use the local school as their brigade site. The school has 5 rooms, where the various medical stations are conducted. Other people from communities nearby like San Vicente might also attend Palama to join the medical brigades.

AVERAGE PATIENTS ATTENDED: +300,000

NEARBY COMMUNITIES: Aldea San Vicente

BRIGADE SITE: Community School

MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS IN PALAMA:

Chapter Date # Of Volunteers Chapter Date # Of Volunteers
Western Kentucky University July 2021 14

Local Reference Points

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

  • Feature