1. Working for a more dignity and human community
Increasing Preventive Health Services to Haitian Immigrants in remote areas of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Authors: L. Abreu, J. Cherubin, T. Contrera
BACKGROUND
The Socio-cultural Movement for Haitian Workers (MOSCTHA), implement health programs for vulnerable populations, especially Haitians immigrants living in remote areas of DR (bateyes, cross boder Haiti-DR, construction sites, etc.). Those places are characterized by poor education, marginalization, difficult access, high poverty levels, promiscuity, language and skin color discrimination and others factors.
RESULTS
2 Mobile units provide specialized health services, medicine supplies and educational campaigns on healthy behaviors.
Over 40 batey communities and over 39,000 people reached from 2003 to date, through mobile units.
Increased the number of people who use medical services, especially sexual and reproductive health (men and women), gynecological (pregnancy attention, Pap and family planing).
Community leaders involved in educational programs and health promotion.
Home visits to monitor patients under treatment or specific conditions (TB, HIV, Malaria, etc.).
CONCLUSION
Provide health services to difficult to access populations (geographically, culturally and economically) contributes to improve their life quality: increase the use FP methods, and the prenatal attention which increases child survival rates and reduces maternal mortality risk.
Working in remote communities helps to identify their health needs and to improve current and new services or programs linked to other needs identified.