Location: Communities of labor unions in Molinos, Panpilla, Icho Qhollo and Pisly Centro, located in the canton of the Palca Departament of Cochabamba- Bolivia

Local partner: Foundation San Lucas

Justification: One of the most serious problems of marginalized rural Indian communities in Cochabamba, scatterd and remote from urban centers is lack of access to primary health care services, generating a very serious situation of lack of health and sanitary assistance for families in those communities. Sanitary services, health centers, health care personnel or availability of medicine is very scarce. This implies that traditional Indian medicine is the only curing method available in this area for needy people. The situation affects women and children in particular reflected in the high infant mortality rate all over Bolivia. Addressing this very serious situation construction of four UAINAS helps to reduce the index of morbidity, mortality and child malnutrition in those marginalized Indian communities.  

Objetives: Reduce infant mortality of children under 6 in four communities in the canton Palca, offering comprehensive health care and nutritional assistance.

1. Ensure assistance, nutrition, early stimulation and initial and daily education of 125 children aged 0 to 6. 
2. Prevention and progressive elimination of infant malnutrition through follow up and strict treatment.
3. Erradicate preventable immune deseases, applying the extended immunization program (PAI)

Activities:

·         Elaboration of guidelines for adequate functioning of UAINA centers.

·         Training workshops for teachers of each center for adequate attention of the children.

·         Medical and dental control for children 

·         Daily cleanliness and hygiene of children

·         Daily food distribution for children

·         Technical follow-up in charge of the F. San Lucas

·         Activities of initial education and entertainment of children entrusted to a pedagogue

·         Implicate parents of the families in food program of products obtained from the community greenhouses and family orchards

·         Parent training about early stimulation

·         Progressive prevention and erradication of infant malnutrition of 125 children under 6

·         Strict weight and height control every 2 month for all children  

·         Treatment of ambulatory nutritional recovery and strict medical-dental control every 2 month 

·         Bi-montly immunization campaign for children under 5 in each community

Beneficiary population: 8.500 inhabitants in the Canton Palca. Qheshwa Indians

Duration of the project: 18 months, conclusion December 2009

Budget and financing: 82.705,89 €