Medical assistance to rural Venezuelan communities

One of our last medical, dental and psychological outreach programs were successfully carried out in Maniapure, Bolivar State, Venezuela, serving the E'ñepa and Jivi communities. During which 1,552 consultations were offered in the fields of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Otorhinolaryngology, Internal Medicine, Dermatology, Ophtalmology, Pediatrics, Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Bioanalysis and Psychology.

In the medicine field, 1,029 patients were attended, out of which, 49.1% (n 450) were adults and the other 49.4% (n 508) were pediatric patients. Of these patients, the distribution by sex corresponded to 56.4% (n 580) female patients and 43.6% (n 449) 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 attendance by medical consultation corresponded to:

• Pediatrics: 322 patients
• Internal Medicine: 292 patients
• Dermathology: 147 patients
• Ophtalmology: 138 patients
• Otolaryngology: 124 patients
• Obstetrics and Ginecology: 74 patients
• Bioanalysis: 148 patients

In the dental area, 278 patients were attended, among different specialties: general dentistry, pediatric dentistry and oral surgery during wich 1,044 dental procedures were made. The distribution of attended patients was: 63.7% (n 177) adults and 36.3% (101) pediatric patients.

In the psychology area, 29 patients were attended in consultations. Twenty-six workshops were held, topics covered included mental health and emotion identification, domestic and gender - based violence, with 306 direct beneficiaries and 1103 indirect beneficiaries. We also held 32 workshops and focus groups with different members of the community.

In order to make a sustainable change through health promotion, more than 1,200 condoms were distributed during sexual and reproductive health workshops and 22 Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARCS) were placed, 71 dignity kits were distributed during menstrual hygiene talks and 143 anti-lice brushes kits were distributed during infectious deseases. A total of 611 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.

The last two medical and dental outreach programs were successfully carried out in Cataniapo, Amazonas State and Delta del Orinoco, Monagas and Delta Amacuro States, Venezuela. During both interventions, thousands of consultations were offered in the fields of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Otorhinolaryngology, Internal Medicine, Dermatology, Ophtalmology, Pediatrics, Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Bioanalysis and Psychology.

During the first one, 1.734 consultations were offered, for a total of 894 patients, out of which, 51.5% (n=460) were children and the other 48.5% (n=434) were adults. Of these patients, the distribution by sex corresponded to 57.3% (n=512) female patients and 42.7% (n=382) male patients. In terms of priority groups, of the total number of patients, 3.8% (n=34) were older adults, 4.6% (n=41) were pregnant women.

During the second one 1458 consultations were offered, for a total of 769 patients, out of which, 56.3% (n=433) were children and the other 43.7% (n=336) were adults. Of these patients, the distribution by sex corresponded to 51.5% (n=396) female patients and 48.5% (n=373) male patients. In terms of priority groups, of the total number of patients, 5.4% (n=42) were older adults, 2% (n=15) were pregnant women.

CUMIS offered medical treatment for acute pathologies in children and adults and provided adequate coverage in the treatment of chronic diseases.

The attendance by consultation in both programs corresponded to the following: 

• Pediatrics: 704 patients
• Otorhinolaryngology: 192 patients
• Obstetrics and Gynecology: 222 patients
• Ophtalmology: 253 patients
• Dermatology: 310 patients
• Internal Medicine: 509 patients 
• Bioanalysis: 338 patients
• Psychology: 22 patients

In the dental area, 642 patients were attended, among different specialties: general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, oral surgery, and maxillofacial surgery. The distribution of attended patients was: 207 (58.5%) adults and 147 (41.5%) pediatric patients in Amazonas, and 135 adults
(46,9%) and 153 children (53,1%) in Delta del Orinoco.

More than 1000 condoms were distributed during seminars on sexual and reproductive health in an effort to create lasting change through health promotion. A total of 1107 people benefited from CUMIS psychoeducational seminars and conferences; topics covered included mental health and emotion identification, domestic and gender-based violence, WASH programs, nutrition, menstrual hygiene, and pediculosis.

Every patient that we attend, as well as every place that we visit, has the potential to transform this nation into the one where we ultimately aspire to live in. Our country, Venezuela, has limitless potentials that inspire CUMIS to constantly search for support and in an unstoppable process of helping the most needy communities. Small and tiny efforts, when added together, maximize our dreams of reaching out to even more communities in the non-distant future.