Strengthening Community-Based Environ-mental and Curative Health through the Sandi Yura Community Health Promoters' Organization

Sandi Yura Association

Justification

The main challenge addressed by this project is the limited capacity of the community health system to respond comprehensively and sustainably to the impacts of environmental determinants on the health of the indigenous population in Orellana Province. This situation is compounded by environmental degradation, structural weaknesses in the public health system, and high levels of social vulnerability.

Location

Orellana Province, Francisco de Orellana Canton (El Coca), Ecuador

Local Partner

Sandi Yura Association

Objectives

Overall Objective: To contribute to the effective realization of the right to comprehensive health for indigenous communities in Orellana Province by strengthening community capacities for integrated healthcare, with a particular focus on environmental health, the environmental determinants of health, organizational strengthening, and access to basic curative healthcare.

Specific Objective: To strengthen the technical and organizational capacities of the Sandi Yura Association in the provision of preventive and comprehensive community healthcare, thereby contributing to improved health outcomes for 55 indigenous communities in Orellana Province through an intercultural, gender-sensitive, and environmentally sustainable approach.

Target Population

(60 women and 50 men).

Project Duration

Budget

Funding

TAU, Zarautz City Council (18.493€)

Activities:

  • Recruitment of a trainer to design, through a participatory process, and deliver a capacity-building programme on environmental health.
  • Delivery of environmental health training courses for 60 female and 50 male community health promoters, covering two thematic areas:
    1. Water and public health.
    2. Sanitation and waste management.
  • Implementation of practical and demonstration-based learning activities.
  • Preparation and distribution of training materials.
  • Evaluation of the training processes.
  • Organization of monthly coordination and planning meetings, together with support for the annual assembly of the Sandi Yura Association.
  • Provision of technical support and mentoring to the Sandi Yura Association.
  • Promotion of the equitable participation of female community health promoters within the Sandi Yura Association.
  • Participatory identification of basic medicine needs.
  • Procurement and distribution of essential medicines to eight communities, accompanied by monitoring and promotion of their rational use.