Socios En Salud implements new intervention to strengthen access to primary health care services in community spaces in Carabayllo.
With the arrival of the COVID-19, timely medical attention for other diseases presented limited access, affecting the health of the most vulnerable populations: people suffering from chronic diseases. One of them, was Meysi Mendoza, a 53-year-old patient diagnosed with diabetes, a chronic disease that is a consequence and that since the beginning of the pandemic until June 2022, has reported more than 32 thousand new cases, a figure that highlights the need to increase access to diagnosis and treatment, in order to decrease its complications and improve people’s quality of life.
Access to health care
During the state of emergency, Meysi had no choice but to stop going to the health facility for fear of contagion, as patients with diabetes have a 3 times higher risk of dying from the coronavirus.
“At first I bought the medications on my own, but then for lack of money I stopped taking them and that’s when I felt my vision blurred, I was very thirsty and I suffered from cramps,” she said.
The days were getting longer and more painful for Meysi, until she answered the call of Elizabeth Anchante and Guadalupe Arce, community health agents who volunteer at the Casasas de Salud 28 de Julio, one of the four community spaces implemented by Socios En Salud since 2020 to reduce barriers in access and linkage to primary health care services to the entire population of Carabayllo.
Strengthening the health system
The Casas de la Salud are community spaces that allow to provide timely, equitable and quality health care in free general medicine and social support, strengthening primary health services and bringing health closer to the most vulnerable population.
“With the support and community involvement we actively search for people with risk factors or suspicion of developing diabetes, hypertension, obesity and other diseases, a key point for the detection and timely initiation of treatment that saves people’s lives,” said Lenia Salas, general practitioner of the Casas de la Salud.
Thus, during October 2021 and June 2022, more than 906 people have received medical attention, care and community accompaniment. In addition, 573 people with risk factors for diabetes and other non-communicable diseases received follow-up, through home visits by community health workers. Likewise, 103 patients with diabetes mellitus 2 and/or arterial hypertension were accompanied to health facilities (EE.SS.) for the start of their treatment.
From Socios En Salud, we will continue working to strengthen health servicesin the detection, diagnosis, treatment, control and prevention of chronic diseases, through community strategies and the use of technology to promote healthy lifestyles in the population.