Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala

We had an overwhelming number of students apply for the medical mission to Guatemala this year. The decision making process was very difficult as there were many amazing students that applied (nearly 90 students).

We have been entering information collected over the years regarding the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia. Over 1,000 people have been tested, and our goal is to now study factors that help identify high-risk communities.

The Lucky Iron Fish project is a humanitarian effort, although new research opportunities continue.  For example, we now have a better understanding as to food preparation methodology that maximizes the amount of iron absorbed into food. We also discovered that using tamarind, a widely available staple in Guatemala, can be used to properly acidify the water. This is very important because if the proper pH is not achieved, Lucky Iron Fish do not release iron. I should also mention that these projects provide opportunities for students to gain research experience.  In fact, last year one of our students won an outstanding research award for her Lucky Iron Fish study; we are very proud of her (a shout out to you Rachel).

Our project also opened the door to a new project starting January 2019. We will be working with 2 schools in Guatemala where the prevalence of iron deficiency is anemia is high. School lunches will be prepared with Lucky Iron Fish. This is the first time  Lucky Iron Fish will be used for quantity food production. We are currently working out the details as to how many LIF are needed to enrich water with iron. This project has the potential to reach many, many children.  We are excited to partner with this new group of teachers and medical staff that are also committed to improving the health of the next generation of Guatemalans.

Our next report (February 2019) we will be ready to go?

Kathy and Ana Maria