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A team of two independent university professors and four students from the Department of Public and Community Health conducted a four-year review in the Santa Rosa region from June 11 to 22 in a four-year effort to screen patients and treat patients in low-income communities in Guatemala. 400 inhabitants.
The ongoing project is from Lynchburg, V. The church is funded by the Church of the Assumption in Las Vegas and funded by the Freedom Research and Scholarship Center. This year’s trip was in partnership with local nonprofit Manos Unidas and six churches in the Santa Rosa area.
The team was led by the chairman of the department, Dr. Oswald Atin, and the assistant professor and teaching consultant, Dr. Ginsca Castillo. The students used the trip as an exercise to gain skills and experiences that will be useful in their future lives.
Addison Daggerti (’22), a recent graduate of the Master of Public Health, said she decided to enroll in Athens after seeing the love of public health.
“I was (and have worked) two years of Dr. Atin’s master’s degree, and he is a great public health professional with amazing knowledge and experience in the field, so I knew I could. Learn a lot of useful skills that will prepare me for this kind of work in the future, ”she said.
In preparation for work in Guatemala, the students studied cultural relevance, social norms, and environmental issues that may affect patient health and access to health care.
“While we were in Guatemala, the four of us operated six health clinics in five rural areas of Santa Rosa, where we had tests for blood glucose, anemia, blood pressure, weight and height,” said Degerti. “After that, they went to see a doctor who would look at their forms and help with any issues, and then the patients would go to the pharmacy to collect vitamin packages, medicines and face masks.
Patients filled out admissions forms used by students to analyze the region’s nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene practices, and family planning data.
Atin and Castillo traveled to Guatemala last summer, exploring similar medical issues, training local health care workers, and serving communities affected by recent hurricanes. One month ago, the department held a local Hispanic Health Show at Iglesia de Las Americas.
Compared to patients from previous regions in the study, Atin Santa Rosa’s population reported gastrointestinal issues, including bacterial and gastrointestinal infections due to poor sanitation, and foodborne illnesses such as parasites. There were also several cases of anemia and uncontrolled hypertension.
Dougerty said the patients heard their complex stories and were affected by their positive outlook on life.
“Their joy and attitude were a wonderful reminder of God’s goodness in every moment,” she says. “People all over the world have their own unique story to tell. I am grateful that the Lord has given me the opportunity to see His many creations and participate in a new culture.
One of their patients was a young man who worked in a group hotel. He was diagnosed with severe anemia, so he was taken to a local clinic for further examination. The man was diagnosed with HIV. Atin said the man was deeply affected by the care and support he received from the Liberation Front.
“He was very grateful and amazed at the love and care he received and decided to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior,” Atin said. “Our department’s mission verse is Proverbs 13: 17, ‘A faithful messenger brings healing,’ and we have seen that in person.
The Department of Public Health and Public Health will continue its work in Guatemala next summer in the Porto Barios region.
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