Medical students and specialists from Clínica Universidad de Navarra check basic health in vulnerable communities in Ecuador
They participated in the first edition of the Alma project , which combines health check-ups, prevention and health Education with social development programs in areas of extreme poverty.
More than 600 people from highly vulnerable coastal communities have received basic medical care thanks to project Alma, a joint initiative of the Clínica Universidad de Navarrathe School of Medicine of the University of Navarra, Savinco and the Friends of Monkole Foundation.
During the first two weeks of August, a team of 4th year medical students from the University of Navarra carried out volunteer activities health volunteer activities in the peninsula of Santa Elena and other localities of the Spondylus Route, in Ecuador. In total, the students carried out some 600 medical check-ups.
Coordinated by Dr. Luis Chiva, director of the Gynecology and Obstetricsdepartment of the Clinic, they carried out exhaustive health questionnaires, physical examinations and basic analytical tests, such as blood glucose measurement, detection of human papillomavirus by PCR or control of hematological parameters.
The results will be completed in Spain, where an aggregate study will be carried out on the health of the population around the sample analyzed and a personalized report will be prepared with prevention recommendations for each patient. On this basis, the most urgent aid will be decided with a view to the short-term future.
"The experience has been a highly valuable learning experience for the students, who have detected and diagnosed cardiac, neurological and dermatological pathologies, among others, in very precarious environments," explains Dr. Luis Chiva. He also emphasizes that they have collaborated with local health agents to improve prevention and public health in populations with difficulties in accessing healthcare.
Based on the analysis of the data collected, the participants in the first edition of the Almaproject will study the feasibility of creating a stable point of medical attention in the area for the communities served, giving continuity to this initiative promoted by medical students of the University of Navarra.
