Medical assistance to rural Venezuelan communities

One of our last medical, dental and psychological outreach programs was successfully carried out in Delta del Orinoco, Monagas State, Venezuela, serving the community of that state. During the program, we offered 1162 consultations in the areas of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Otorhinolaryngology, Internal Medicine, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, Pathological Anatomy, General Dentistry, Oral Surgery, Endodontics, Bioanalysis and Psychology.

In the medicine field, 500 patients were attended, out of which, 54.4% (n=272) were pediatric patients and the other 45.6% (n=228) were adult patients. Of these patients, the distribution by sex corresponded to 64.1% (n=307) female patients and 38.6% (n=193) 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: 273 patients
Internal Medicine: 158 patients
Dermatology: 97 patients
Ophthalmology: 104 patients
Otorhinolaryngology: 100 patients
Obstetrics and Gynecology: 68 patients
Bioanalysis: 90 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, 220 patients were attended, among different specialties: general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, oral surgery, operatory and endodontics during which 877 dental procedures were made. he distribution of attended patients was: 57.2% (n=126) adults and 42.7% (n=94) pediatric patients. Ten workshops were held, topics covered included HPV, oral cancer and teeth value.

In the psychology area, 9 patients attended consultations. Ten workshops were held, topics covered included psychologist role, mental health and emotion identification, domestic and gender - based violence, with 228 direct beneficiaries and 1,374 indirect beneficiaries. 

In order to make a sustainable change through health promotion, more than 1,000 condoms were distributed during sexual and reproductive health workshops and 43 Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARCS) were placed, 45 dignity kits were distributed during menstrual hygiene talks, 24 anti-lice kits were distributed during infectious diseases and 50 hats during visual health. A total of 1,023 people benefited from CUMIS psychoeducational seminars and conferences; topics covered included sexual and reproductive health, WASH programs, nutrition and parasitosis, menstrual hygiene, infectious diseases, yellow fever and malaria, 

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.