The association youth EqÜESformed by more than 100 students from Schools of Medicine and Nursing at the University of Navarra, has received the award ABC Solidario for its work to improve the lives of children and the elderly, both inside and outside Spain, in the category of volunteer activities university. 

Endowed with 10,000 euros, this recognition comes only three years after the birth of association. It is estimated that, in this time, EqÜES has trained some 4,000 people in drug prevention and first aid thanks to its theoretical and practical workshops that they give free of charge. "For example, heart attacks are the leading cause of death in Spain and this could change if everyone knew how to detect them in time," says Raquel García, one of the founders of association.

Their work is focused on different fields of action: "We give training in first aid in institutes, schools, professional training centers... and we also address the prevention of drug use," explains García. "So far we have focused on Navarre, for logistical reasons, but this summer we are planning sessions at training in other autonomous communities as well". 

On the other hand, they carry out works of research with which update their knowledge. In fact, in March they won the award of research of the XI congress of Family Medicine for Students and another project has been admitted to the XXXI National congress of the Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES) to be held this weekend in Gerona. 

Peru: first international experience

In addition to its national activities and research, EqÜES is crossing national borders and this summer will also reach Peru to educate children from rural and underprivileged populations through talks and courses so that they have the tools to deal with complicated situations. "The project that we are going to carry out there is new, since it is the first year that we are encouraged to develop an initiative of this size. We are going 8 colleagues to rural regions to teach training first aid and hygiene and to provide support for health coverage as needed," explains Raquel García. In total, the volunteers will visit 20 schools during 37 days in the Latin American country and will provide health coverage in small towns such as Uripa, at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters.

"A large part of the €10,000 from award will go to project in Peru, as it is by far the most demanding financially. However, we intend to allocate part of it to simulation material (CPR dolls, heimlich, AED...) to improve the projects of training".