As part of a medical outreach, our group of physicians, nurses, physical therapist, local community leaders, and interpreters will spend a total of two weeks providing free medical care, health education, family planning and counseling to the communities of Andahuaylillas. We will have a pharmacy to dispense medications free of charge. We will accomplish this through local health fairs, home visits, and working within established local medical clinics. By bringing medical care directly to the communities of Andahuaylillas, we are hopeful we will help alleviate some of the hardships associated with receiving health care within the rural communities.
Andahuaylillas is an agricultural rural community located south of Cusco, Peru; its population estimates roughly 5,400 people, many who are of Quechua descent. Given its relative remote and rural location, there are limited number of health facilities and medical professionals located within Andahuaylillas. There are no hospitals or emergency care services. As such, many families and individuals living in Andahuaylillas often face significant barriers to receive needed medical care, including preventive care services, health education, family planning, mental health, and chronic care management. At the same time, there are also limited number of community health partnerships or resources available to the Quechua population.
Our hope is that our medical services and health interventions will help mitigate some of the health disparities encountered by the people of Andahuaylillas and help establish a long-term partnership within the local community. We further hope to return to Andahuaylillas in order to continue to provide much needed medical services and preventive care. As I continue to progress in my career as a clinician working towards meeting the medical needs of the communities that surround me, it is my wish to further develop the clinical and public health proficiency necessary to address the public health concerns affecting our most vulnerable populations. I strongly believe the experience gained through our outreach in Andahuaylillas will help me gain valuable training and experience in public health while enhancing my leadership skills to become a more effective clinician and public health advocate.
Andahuaylillas is an agricultural rural community, nestled in the valley of the Andes mountains, located about an hour drive south of Cusco, Peru; its population estimates roughly 5,400 people, many who are of Quechua descent. Given its relative remote and rural location, there are limited number of health facilities and medical professionals located within Andahuaylillas. There are no hospitals or emergency care services. As such, the people of Andahuaylillas often face significant barriers to receiving needed medical care, including preventive care services, health education, medications, family planning, mental health, and chronic care management. Particularly noted, there are limited number of community health partnerships and medical resources available to the Quechua population, further adding to the health disparities encountered within Andahuaylillas.
As part of our 18 member medical outreach team, consisting of physicians, nurses, a physical therapist, local community leaders, and interpreters, a total of two weeks was spent providing free medical care, health education, family planning and counseling. Partnering with the local municipal government of Andahuaylillas, who graciously allowed us to utilize a local clinic as our primary medical home, we set out to provide free medical care through clinic visits, health fairs, and home visits. In total, we saw approximately 700 patients in the time span of two weeks - mostly minor complaints ranging from musculoskeletal pain to fungal skin infections to well child exams. However, we would from time-to-time encounter more serious health conditions such as sepsis due untreated bacterial infections to more obscure/ rare conditions such as Peruvian warts.
The time spent in Andahuaylillas was both rewarding and humbling. I am forever grateful to the community of Andahuaylillas for inviting us into their home and entrusting us to share our services. The people of Andahuaylillas are gracious, caring, and welcoming. I am forever humbled by the opportunity to serve and I am hopeful our efforts will serve to build partnerships to continue to provide needed health services to the people of Andahuaylillas. I am also thankful to the Dox Foundation for supporting our efforts in bringing much needed health care to our most vulnerable communities.
