Medical assistance to rural Venezuelan communities

One of our last medical, dental and psychological outreach programs was successfully carried out in Caño Pendare, Amazonas State, Venezuela, serving the community of that state. During the program, we offered 1315 consultations in the areas of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Otorhinolaryngology, Internal Medicine, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Bioanalysis, Psychology and Psychiatry.

In the medicine field, 484 patients were attended, out of which, 56,61% (n 274) were pediatric patients and the other 43,39% (n 210) were adult patients. Of these patients, the distribution by sex corresponded to 58,47% (n 283) female patients and 41,53% (n 201) male patients. After said consultations, CUMIS was able to offer treatment for the most frequently found pathologies in children and adults. Regarding the latter, the provision of adequate coverage in the treatment of chronic diseases was granted.The assistance for each medical consultation corresponded to:

Pediatrics: 254 patients
Internal Medicine: 132 patients
Dermatology: 114 patients
Ophthalmology: 102 patients
Otorhinolaryngology: 98 patients
Obstetrics and Gynecology: 96 patients
Bioanalysis: 106 patients

We also gave talks on different topics that help us to generate a sustainable impact on society and help us to prevent prevalent diseases in the community.

In the dental area, 330 patients were attended, among different specialties: general dentistry, pediatric dentistry and oral surgery during which 1,541 dental procedures were made. The distribution of attended patients was: 40% (n 132) adults and 60% (n 198) pediatric patients.

In the psychology area, 18 patients attended consultations. Thirty-six workshops were held, topics covered included mental health and emotion identification, domestic and gender - based violence, with 425 direct beneficiaries and 2,176 indirect beneficiaries. 

In order to make a sustainable change through health promotion, more than 2,500 condoms were distributed during sexual and reproductive health workshops and 65 Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARCS) were placed, 107 dignity kits were distributed during menstrual hygiene talks and 100 anti-lice brushes kits were distributed during infectious diseases. A total of 1,111 people benefited from CUMIS psychoeducational seminars and conferences; topics covered included sexual and reproductive health, WASH programs, nutrition, menstrual hygiene, and infectious diseases.

At CUMIS we are firm believers that if there is a way to have a positive impact on another person's life, it is through the sum of each small act of kindness. We are quite sure that, with the help of the noblest hearts, we will continue to bring health to the most disadvantaged communities in our country.