The Panimach? Quinto Alto (PQA) community?s medical needs are currently assessed in a once-a-month visit in a large open community meeting space. There?s no privacy, exam rooms, or equipment other than what the medical team can carry to the site. The lack of privacy means many women don?t address current or ongoing medical needs, leading to poor health outcomes for both women and their children. For many, easily treatable diseases or infirmities aren?t addressed and become more serious over time. Traveling teams of medical professionals (doctors, dentists, specialists) cannot provide care in PQA due to the lack of appropriate workspace.

A new clinic provides better health outcomes ? and expands care

At the request of PQA, we will build a clinic that provides privacy, exam space, equipment, and a permanent space for visiting medical teams to work and expand the community?s care opportunities. The clinic will also provide a comfortable and clean space for the local midwives to consult with their patients and deliver babies.

An exam table, lighting, and basic medical equipment will radically enhance the comfort and safety of their work; that equipment and more are built into the project budget. An ambulance pad is also in our plan, allowing for emergency vehicles to safely and quickly load and unload patients. Also included is an ultrasound machine, which is critical to many diagnoses and assessments. This unit will be shared with neighboring communities as needed. A storage space will allow for ongoing access to vitamins, fortified rice, and other supplies to combat malnutrition in the community.

We will break ground as soon as we reach full funding for construction, completing the clinic in 23 weeks. Our goal is to complete funding and build and equip the clinic before October 15, 2024.