Since 2001, we have been
carrying out health projects directed to both the child population as
well as to pregnant women in remote regions of Darien. “SBSIN” was the
first project implemented and we are now implementing the “PAISS”
project.
Lupo Zarco of the health team
takes a blood sample for a hemoglobin test from an aboriginal boy of the
Nuevo Belen Community.
From March 2001 to March 2003, under
contract with the Health Ministry and with the sponsoring of the World Bank
we carried out the project:
“Paquete de Servicios Básicos de Salud Integral y Nutrición (SBSIN)”
(Basic Integral Health and Nutrition Service Package). In this project
we catered to basic health problems, emergencies and common diseases of
1,712 children and 507 pregnant women in native communities of extreme
poverty and difficult access in the “Emberá- Wounánn” native reserve.
We are currently implementing another contract, the “Paquete de Atención
Integral de Servicios de Salud (PAISS)” (Health Services Integral
Attention Package) subscribed with the Health Ministry and sponsored by
the International Development Bank (BID), with a three year span and
that will benefit a population of more than 15,715 “Darienitas”.
Nutritionist
Maika Barria teaches a pregnant woman the correct way to prepare the
Nutritional Cream provided through the PAISS project.
Through this project, every 8 weeks, health teams, comprised of doctors,
nurse assistants, nutritionists, environmental sanitation technicians
and health assistants, will provide assistance to the populations of
difficult access in the areas of “Camogantí”, “Tucutí”, “Taimatí”, “La
Palma”, “Río Congo”, “Chepigana”, “Río Iglesias” and the native reserves
“Wargandí”, “Sambú” and “Cémaco”.
DECO-DARIEN Project
“Desarrollo Comunitario
Darién (DECO-DARIEN)” (Darien Community Development) is a 30-month
project sponsored by the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID).
In order to be awarded this Program, several international corporations
competed with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), but due to the
experience, prestige and success achieved by the “FUNDACION PRO-NIÑOS DE
DARIEN” (DARIEN PRO CHILDREN FOUNDATION) on their projects, USAID
awarded the contract to the Darien Community Development, consortium
established by the PRO CHILDREN FOUNDATION OF DARIEN and US corporations
Agricultural Cooperative Development International and Volunteers in
Overseas Cooperative Assistance (ACDI-VOCA) and Planning Assistance
(PA).
The project contemplates helping the
“Darienitas” to find more integrated solutions to their problems, so
that in addition to the nutrition and health component, they can be
taught to improve their productivity system,
Her
Excellency Linda Watt, United States Ambassador, inaugurates
improvements to the aqueduct system of the Villa Darien Community in
February 2004. This effort will provide area residents with water
for their basic needs, something that until recently was considered
only a dream.
finding ways to increase
their income and market their products (agricultural, ecotourism,
handcrafts and others); as well as to create a social infrastructure
directed to improve aqueducts and sewage systems. An important part of
this project includes the protection of watersheds. Another important
aspect of this project is to work closely with local organizations:
Local Boards, Water Boards and Producer Associations.
