Sanitation Is Also Health

“When my sister-in-law came here to give birth, this is what she had to bathe in the yard with a small bucket—with no privacy because there was nowhere else,” says Clorinda Sovalbarro, a young woman attending a medical appointment at the Health Post in the community of El Naranjo, Waslala.

 

This was the reality for thousands of rural women who rely on the only health post in the area. “The population we serve exceeds 18,000 people; children and women are the ones who come most often for consultations. We also function like a small hospital—this is the place where women can give birth,” explains Noe Rodríguez, the doctor in charge of the health post.

 

Dr. Rodríguez (right) said they see an average of 5,000 patients per month and, as Clorinda mentioned, they previously did not have an adequate space for women to use the restroom or to collect samples for laboratory tests. “We did not feel confident sending them to urinate or to bathe after giving birth,” he recalls.

 

Thanks to community leadership, coordination among 11 churches, and El Porvenir, the health post now has four toilets, a shower, and a laundry area for patient use. “Thank God the project became a reality; we are very grateful for the support,” said Dr. Rodríguez.

 

El Naranjo and Beyond

 

Many of the pregnant women who come to the health post stay at the community’s Maternal Home. According to Juana Matey, who manages the space, people arrive from 10 surrounding communities, and some travel 2-3 hours to receive care.

 

“Just last month, 180 pregnant women came for consultations on the day of the health fair, an activity that takes place once a month. All of them needed restrooms like these—clean, well-built, and with appropriate conditions,” she said.

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This project was supported by The Project Solution! 

Learn more by clicking in the link below!