Salud Que Transforma
Vision
Salud Que Transforma is a Christian non-profit providing medical care and health education in the Ixil region of Guatemala. Their goal is to increase access to consistent healthcare and health education in areas of the Ixil region that lack adequate medical and dental attention. Salud que Transforma integrates a strong focus on Christian ethics, which emphasize the value of each unique person, created and sustained by God.
Salud Que Transforma is a Christian non-profit providing medical care and health education in the Ixil region of Guatemala. Their goal is to increase access to consistent healthcare and health education in areas of the Ixil region that lack adequate medical and dental attention. Salud que Transforma integrates a strong focus on Christian ethics, which emphasize the value of each unique person, created and sustained by God.
Current Activities
Medical & Dental Attention
In the Ixil region of Quiché, many towns are located several hours from the nearest hospital and lack access to basic health services. Small health centers staffed by an auxiliary nurse or midwife usually assume primary responsibility for the health of a community.
Built out of the vision of Dr. Erick Estrada and Dr. Mike Soderling, Salud Que Transforma (SQT) addresses the most critical health needs identified in the Ixil region through a combination of clinical care and health education.
Each month, SQT sends out a team of doctors and nurses to a clinic in the town of La Perla for a week to provide low-cost medical and dental care to the surrounding villages. Ophthalmology clinics are conducted twice a year. This consistency has allowed SQT to build rapport in the community, especially with pregnant mothers who now regularly receive prenatal attention at the clinic. About 35 mothers now benefit from ultrasounds, vitamin supplements and the ability to enroll in free maternal health education.
In the Ixil region of Quiché, many towns are located several hours from the nearest hospital and lack access to basic health services. Small health centers staffed by an auxiliary nurse or midwife usually assume primary responsibility for the health of a community.
Built out of the vision of Dr. Erick Estrada and Dr. Mike Soderling, Salud Que Transforma (SQT) addresses the most critical health needs identified in the Ixil region through a combination of clinical care and health education.
Each month, SQT sends out a team of doctors and nurses to a clinic in the town of La Perla for a week to provide low-cost medical and dental care to the surrounding villages. Ophthalmology clinics are conducted twice a year. This consistency has allowed SQT to build rapport in the community, especially with pregnant mothers who now regularly receive prenatal attention at the clinic. About 35 mothers now benefit from ultrasounds, vitamin supplements and the ability to enroll in free maternal health education.
Health Education Programs
Health education programs complement clinics by offering free training to community health workers, mothers and students. SQT is one of many small health organizations that uses a curriculum developed specifically for communities in coffee growing regions of Guatemala. This means that SQT takes an active role in teaching evidence-based health information that is both culturally-specific and standardized in other communities across the region. Students who are unable to read and write (such as midwives who were discouraged from going to school as girls) are trained using a culturally-appropriate curriculum that is picture-based.
Upon completing the program, some students have gone on to earn nursing degrees or work for other health and nutrition organizations in the area. Midwives are able to offer higher quality care to pregnant mothers and continue to participate in trainings. Learn about the specific programs below.
Health education programs complement clinics by offering free training to community health workers, mothers and students. SQT is one of many small health organizations that uses a curriculum developed specifically for communities in coffee growing regions of Guatemala. This means that SQT takes an active role in teaching evidence-based health information that is both culturally-specific and standardized in other communities across the region. Students who are unable to read and write (such as midwives who were discouraged from going to school as girls) are trained using a culturally-appropriate curriculum that is picture-based.
Upon completing the program, some students have gone on to earn nursing degrees or work for other health and nutrition organizations in the area. Midwives are able to offer higher quality care to pregnant mothers and continue to participate in trainings. Learn about the specific programs below.
MIDWIFE CONTINUING EDUCATION
Designed to further the knowledge and practice of midwives who serve as the basis of maternal health in the Ixil region. (Topics vary)
IN-SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION (5TH & 6TH GRADE)
Units throughout the school year are designed to teach adolescents about self-esteem, gender equality, sexual and reproductive health, intra-family abuse, nutrition and hygiene. (Duration: 6 months)
YOUTH & ADULT HEALTH WORKSHOPS
Courses cover topics in self-esteem, gender equality, sexual and reproductive health, gender violence, maternal health and nutrition, toddler nutrition, family planning, community emergency planning, hygiene and general nutrition. (Duration: 12 months)
MATERNAL HEALTH WORKSHOPS
Designed to prepare and support mothers through the duration of pregnancy with education, vitamin supplements and ultrasounds. (Duration: 9 months)
