Summary
The "Area de Salud" that manages health care in the Ixil region of Guatemala has decided to decentralize health care for the area. They have identified three health clinics where they would like help in improving sanitation and hand washing for patients.
Background
Within the last 5 years the govenment has built small health clinics in rural villages to decentralize health care from the national hospital in Nebaj. The structures are adequate for the hospital personnel to treat, and diagnose patients, but did not take into account the large numbes of people waiting for treatment and their sanitary needs. All of the communities have a water system , but no public sanitary and hand washing facilities. This project is the beginning of a process to provide such facilities at the rural clinics by Agua Para La Salud.
Location
Municipality of Nebaj, Guatemala, Ixil region of Quiche department, GuatemalaAttachments
Focus
Primary Focus: Sanitation - Community
Secondary Focus: Hygiene Education
People Getting Safe Drinking Water: 0
The health clinics do not have water or hand washing available for patients waiting for treatment and diagnosis. The numbers are from the government health office. The use of water at this location is a suppliment to the water the villagers have in their homes.
School Children Getting Water:
People Getting Sanitation: 2,562
The population noted is the population of the communities where the health clinics are located. Most families have latrines in their homes and this facility will provide a suppliment to the sanitation in the village.
People Getting Other Benefits: 2,562
The project is being implemented along with the government program to increase health service on a weekly basis from the present monthly visit.
Start Date: 2012-10-01
Completion Date: 2013-01-25
Technology Used:
The facilities proposed have been constructed numerous times in schools and have been designed to withstand intensive use by the public. The facilities are easily maintained and have locking doors to prevent valdalism.
Each village committee will work along with Agua Para La Salud to complete the construction and provide local labor and materials.
Phases:
The project in the four health clinics will be done over a period of four months ,after receiving funding, by trained masons who have executed these designs on many occassions.
Community Organization:
The clinics were built by the Guatemalan government and turned over to the care of each community. The local "Area de Salud" has technitians who monitor the maintenance by the communities of the clinic to ensure a safe and clean environment for patients, doctors and nurses.
Government Interaction:
The project will enhance the capability of the health authorities to improve patient treatment on a weekly basis.
Ancillary activities:
The health clinics also provide a location for health classes; prenatal care; distribution of food supliments; and vacinations.
Other Issues:
Without the new facilities people waiting are forced to take care of their natural needs by using nearby corn fields and forests.
Maintenance Revenue:
The clinics are managed by the community under the supervision of the hospital staff.
Each community has a local trained resident in charge of the clinics.
Maintenance Cost: $200
Metrics:
The hospital staff and the "Area de Salud" keep records of the clinic activities and monitor maintenance.
Agua Para La Salud will monitor the facilities in the following manner:
1) Check the septic tank for solid levels and drain field for leakage on a yearly basis.
2) Check the functioning of the flush toilet mechanism and door operation on a yearly basis.
3) Monitor the effectiveness of the community and Area de Salud to manage the facilities and keep them in good and clean condition.
Cost: $23,893
The total cost of the project includes the contribution by Global Water for the fourth clinic.
Co Funding Amount: $5,973
Agua Para La Salud has funding from Global Water to finance the Xepiun clinic.
Community Contribution Amount: $2,500
The communities will contribute non skilled labor for 6 weeks at about six men per day ; and the rock needed for the bases of the structures.