Project Limón, Nicaragua
Below is a video from the Rutgers University chapter of FIMRC from their trip to Project Limón in 2009.
The information video below is from the FIMRC National Organization.
Limón is located in the Pacific lowlands of Nicaragua. Limón is known for its colonial heritage, beach communities, mountains, and volcanoes and is a popular region for coastal tourism. Outside of tourists resorts, however, lies a side of Nicaragua tourists rarely see: extreme poverty and poor sanitation practices. Nearly half of Nicaragua's population lives below the poverty line, and, according to the World Health Organization, only 6.3% of Nicaragua's population carries health insurance. As a result of the squalid living conditions and lack of access to proper healthcare outside of the overburdened government clinics, the main causes of death for children under the age of five are largely preventable and treatable conditions such as respiratory diseases, diarrhea, and malnutrition.
FIMRC’s Project Limón brings medical care to children living in remote areas of rural Nicaragua through two distinct channels. The first is by forming collaborative partnerships with neighboring health care facilities. The second is offering triage health care at its very own pediatric health clinic out of the Casa de Refugio. The Casa de Refugio is the hub of FIMRC activity and houses many Global Health Volunteer Program and health education activities.
A partnership with the government health post in nearby Las Salinas serves as one of the bases from which FIMRC provides free pediatric care to 8 communities. The health post staffs a doctor and two nurses and maintains partnerships with other government entities. The community of Las Salinas has a well organized community leadership that supports the health clinic as well as outreach programs to local schools and homes. The Las Salinas Health Post provides primary care, emergency care, and health education to children and adults. In partnership with the health post, FIMRC aims to expand the program of free medical care for children while providing Global Health Volunteers the opportunity to serve the community alongside the medical staff in preventive health measures. Additionally, FIMRC’s partnership with Hospital Gaspar Garcia, located in Rivas, affords Global Health Volunteers currently enrolled in medical school the opportunity to observe surgeons while getting a first-hand glimpse into the national public health system on a large scale.
The FIMRC pediatric health clinic is managed by the region’s lone registered pediatrician, thanks to the successful recruiting efforts of Project Limón’s former Field Operations Manager. The clinic houses an administrative office, a patient waiting area, and a private consultation room for patients. FIMRC takes a holistic approach to providing access to all children in the region through clinical services as well as a comprehensive health outreach program. In an effort to reduce infant and child mortality, children 0 – 5 and expecting mothers are seen by the pediatrician. In addition, FIMRC staff is responsible for pre-natal and post-partum care that focuses on well child visits, health education and disease prevention. Health outreach includes but is not limited to house visits, an expecting mother health education group and special campaigns targeted at expecting mothers.
In 2009, Field Operations Manager Greg Macdonald conducted a sample survey focused on children's and women's health in Limón and the surrounding communities. A copy of the resulting analysis can be found here: link.
FIMRC’s Project Limón brings medical care to children living in remote areas of rural Nicaragua through two distinct channels. The first is by forming collaborative partnerships with neighboring health care facilities. The second is offering triage health care at its very own pediatric health clinic out of the Casa de Refugio. The Casa de Refugio is the hub of FIMRC activity and houses many Global Health Volunteer Program and health education activities.
A partnership with the government health post in nearby Las Salinas serves as one of the bases from which FIMRC provides free pediatric care to 8 communities. The health post staffs a doctor and two nurses and maintains partnerships with other government entities. The community of Las Salinas has a well organized community leadership that supports the health clinic as well as outreach programs to local schools and homes. The Las Salinas Health Post provides primary care, emergency care, and health education to children and adults. In partnership with the health post, FIMRC aims to expand the program of free medical care for children while providing Global Health Volunteers the opportunity to serve the community alongside the medical staff in preventive health measures. Additionally, FIMRC’s partnership with Hospital Gaspar Garcia, located in Rivas, affords Global Health Volunteers currently enrolled in medical school the opportunity to observe surgeons while getting a first-hand glimpse into the national public health system on a large scale.
The FIMRC pediatric health clinic is managed by the region’s lone registered pediatrician, thanks to the successful recruiting efforts of Project Limón’s former Field Operations Manager. The clinic houses an administrative office, a patient waiting area, and a private consultation room for patients. FIMRC takes a holistic approach to providing access to all children in the region through clinical services as well as a comprehensive health outreach program. In an effort to reduce infant and child mortality, children 0 – 5 and expecting mothers are seen by the pediatrician. In addition, FIMRC staff is responsible for pre-natal and post-partum care that focuses on well child visits, health education and disease prevention. Health outreach includes but is not limited to house visits, an expecting mother health education group and special campaigns targeted at expecting mothers.
In 2009, Field Operations Manager Greg Macdonald conducted a sample survey focused on children's and women's health in Limón and the surrounding communities. A copy of the resulting analysis can be found here: link.
Volunteers in Limón have the opportunity to observe in the Las Salinas Clinic, participate in community outreach projects, visit several elementary schools, and multiple neighboring clinics. Volunteer activities are primarily focused on community outreach initiatives including administering vaccinations, combating dengue fever, and conducting lice inspections. Preventive community health outreach is a major component of the service we provide to patients and families. Through this initiative, volunteers play a crucial role in delivering dynamic, engaging health education sessions to children and adults alike. Volunteers host educational community discussions on a variety of general health topics such as basic hygiene, parasite prevention, prenatal care, and dental health.
FIMRC’s Pediatric Health Program provides a unique opportunity to experience acute and preventive health care through working alongside the pediatrician, assisting with patient intake, creating and distributing health education materials, and streamlining data tracking and institutional memory practices. Volunteers may also have the opportunity to provide basic assistance at the Las Salinas Clinic, including taking vitals, working alongside nurses and pharmacists, and assisting in examinations at the discretion of the clinic’s physicians.
FIMRC’s Pediatric Health Program provides a unique opportunity to experience acute and preventive health care through working alongside the pediatrician, assisting with patient intake, creating and distributing health education materials, and streamlining data tracking and institutional memory practices. Volunteers may also have the opportunity to provide basic assistance at the Las Salinas Clinic, including taking vitals, working alongside nurses and pharmacists, and assisting in examinations at the discretion of the clinic’s physicians.