Hi Everyone,
Things in Yupukari are great, the people are wonderful especially the kids! So far I have been focusing on an after-school literacy program (the actual reason I came down here) so I really haven't spent much time at the health post. However, it seems there is a lot of potential for a good project working with the health workers.
From what I have seen (and this probably applies more to Marcus and Nicole), there are countless ways in which volunteers can help; it all depends upon what you are interested in. The health post is very basic: there is a microscope (for identifying malaria), a scale (broken), an examining table, and some great information pamphlets created by previous volunteers. The employees (there are two of them: a microscopist, Jones, and the health worker, Sylvester) do keep records of whom they treat, the diagnosis and the medication given. They can order meds from Lethem which arrive four times per year. They receive meds for acute illnesses such as malaria, infections and diarrhea but nothing for chronic illnesses (ie. hypertension, diabetes etc).
The post is a very small operation and from what I saw they are very limited in what they can do for their patients.
So, the potential for volunteer work is tremendous! The info pamphlets are great, easy to read and accessible and I think they can be expanded on. I've been working on a very basic puberty guide for girls because from what I've heard they receive little information. Other ideas for pamphlets include easy to read educational guides on how your body works (ie. 'this is digestion'). Like I said though, the opportunities are endless, it just depends what you are interested in. Marcus, Alice told me that you are a microbiology student and that you might be interested in working with Jones? If you have any questions, would like me to speak with him or look into anything for you, please don't hesitate to ask. The same goes for Nicole. I'll be here till late July and have regular internet access. I hope this is somewhat helpful!
take care,
Maia