Argentina Holistic Health Project Report

Argentina Holistic Health Project Report

One of the objectives of the Holistic Health Project is to provide basic self-health care training to women. In 2007, Dr. Inés Sarli, former Global Ministries missionary to Paraguay and medical physician, offered training sessions through various organizations, among them the Ecumenical Center for Solidarity (CEASOL), local churches, and the Women’s Forum of the Center for Latin American Issues (CLAI). As a result of these sessions, over 300 families were reached and informed on basic health care issues.

 

Project Report – 2007

One of the objectives of the Holistic Health Project is to provide basic self-health care training to women. In 2007, Dr. Inés Sarli, former Global Ministries missionary to Paraguay and medical physician, offered training sessions through various organizations, among them the Ecumenical Center for Solidarity (CEASOL), local churches, and the Women’s Forum of the Center for Latin American Issues (CLAI). As a result of these sessions, over 300 families were reached and informed on basic health care issues.

Training sessions touched on women’s health issues, environmental contamination, and community health. Many rural areas face serious pollution issues and the women were taught how to recognize contamination, what actions could be taken to help reduce the pollution, and how they could become advocates for improved public services such as garbage collection, chemical residue safeguards, and decreasing the rodent population. 

Sexually transmitted diseases and their effects was a topic of much concern among the women, especially those from rural and impoverished families. The women were given information on how to treat these and where they could find medical assistance for further treatment.  Emphasis was made on prevention and this brought forth much discussion among the women, who were open and candid about their personal experiences and vocal about their concern for the future of their sons and daughters.

Another topic of discussion that brought much interaction was medical malpractice and prejudice against the poor and handicapped in hospitals and government offices. Many women shared their experiences of discrimination and degrading treatment received in the past. Much discussion was shared about the abuse of immigrants, homosexuals, and the extremely poor, and how these incidents would sometimes border on or become physical abuse. The group was given information on how they could become advocates to help speak against these practices and possible steps that could be taken to help eradicate these.

A workshop was offered exclusively for women, head of households in the Province of Buenos Aires. Most women who came to this workshop had sons or daughters in prison for theft or drug related crimes. The issues of most concern to these women, who attended the workshops with their numerous children and grandchildren, were:

  • Respiratory illness in children, especially in colder months
  • Chronic diarrhea and stomach issues
  • First aid needs, signs and symptoms of serious illness
  • Sexually transmitted diseases and their treatment
  • CPR and cardiac arrest
  • Basic information on blood pressure, pulse, temperature, etc.
  • Prevention of household accidents

Due to the interest and needs of the group, the workshop was extended and held weekly for several months in order to address the gamut of topics. Over 40 women were faithful in attendance and the final request of this group was that they be given training in basic nursing so they could be more helpful to their families and communities. The program purchased thermometers and a blood pressure meter and left it with trained women so they could provide at least this basic service to the community.

A workshop on memory enhancement was given to senior citizens in the Flores area under the auspices of the Buen Pastor Church. This workshop provided information on how older adults could enhance their memory, exercises they could practice, and discussion on the illnesses that cause memory loss. A short devotional concluded the workshop.

The workshop offered through the Women’s Forum of CLAI discussed reproductive health and abortion, domestic violence, and human trafficking. As a result of the interest and needs expressed in this workshop, the program is working on a brochure that can be distributed with important information on these topics. 

Work on this project concluded in 2007 with several health care workshops held in Chaco, Resistencia, Barranqueras, and Vedia. These areas requested that more workshops be shared in 2008.

Dr. Inés Sarli expresses her gratitude to Global Ministries and its supporters for financially sponsoring this program and looks forward to similar programs in the near future.

Translated and edited by:                   Office of Resource Development
Global Ministries
P.O. Box 1986
Indianapolis, IN  46206
Tel:  (317) 713-2555
Fax:  (317) 635-4323
Email: 

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