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Reinforcement of the community healthcare system for the rural populations of the Turpo district, Andahuaylas – Apurímac, Peru

The project Reinforcement of the community healthcare system for the rural populations of the Turpo district, Andahuaylas – Apurímac, Peru, is focused on improving the health, alimentation and lifestyle habits of the Andean communities. It is expected that the health of the families from 8 specific communities will be bettered thanks to the training of promoters which will guarantee a system of prevention and socio-health education.


CONTEXT
Although Peru has a global Human Development Index of 0.506 according to the 2012 UNDP report, Turpo has an index of 0.2016 (Niger, the lowest ranking country had a global figure in 2015 of 0.348) and ranks 1577 out of the 1834 districts of Peru; 85% of the population is in a situation of poverty and 66% in extreme poverty. The level of hygiene and health is extremely poor. Food is cooked on the floor with wood without light or ventilation. The families generally sleep with their animals, using the same space as kitchen, living area and bedroom.
 
The district has four health establishments with a limited service and lacking equipment, infrastructure, specialized personnel and ambulances.  
 
PROJECT
The planned activities have been divided into three blocks: 
 
- Integral healthcare campaigns, de-worming, hemoglobin analyses, and the provision of nutritional supplements free of charge to the 8 communities.
 
- Capacity-building workshops for the population about gender in healthcare, nutrition, and healthy diets; talks about hand-washing, teeth-brushing and dental care for children, teachers and parents.
 
-  The training of 10 health promoters for early detection of diseases. 
 
As a result of these activities it is expected that the health and alimentary conditions of the  families from the 8 rural communities in the district of Turpo will improve.  
 
BENEFICIARIES
The beneficiaries are the 520 Quechua-speaking families (2,600 people) from the 8 impoverished communities in the district of Turpo, located at 3350-4200 meters above sea level, who work in agriculture and as shepherds.