Loja, April 6, 2023
With the objective of evaluating the implementation of Brigades and Assessment of Essential Conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and the Ministry of Public Health (MSP) organized a day to exchange experiences and lessons learned by the province of Zamora Chinchipe.
This project to strengthen the response to the COVID19 emergency was carried out in the provinces of Carchi, Esmeraldas, El Oro, Manabí, Sucumbíos, Tungurahua and Zamora Chinchipe, according to epidemiological criteria, as it is a priority population (indigenous peoples and nationalities, people on the move and communities with difficult access to health services).
This project was focused on logistical support for brigades to communities with difficult access and the implementation of the Essential Conditions assessment tool in 315 establishments nationwide. Of these, 24 belong to the Amazon province.
This conference was attended by Cristina Aldaz, Undersecretary of First Level Comprehensive Care Networks; Andrea Bravo, national director of First Level; Isabel Cueva Ortega, Zonal 7-HEALTH coordinator and authorities of the zonal coordinations 2 and 6.
Isabel Cueva Ortega welcomed the attendees, stressing that these actions are important to evaluate the achievements made thanks to the tools that were applied in first level care establishments.
For her part, Cristina Aldaz expressed that this articulated work has made it possible to identify critical nodes and resolve difficulties in infrastructure, equipment, human talent, internal management, drug supply and network management. “Thanks to the support of multilateral and intersectoral organizations, it has been possible to reach places of difficult access that have historically had problems receiving health services.”
The project supports the development of actions based on the WHO response pillars, which include communication, coordination, epidemiological surveillance, infection prevention and control activities, as well as clinical management, maintenance and recovery of essential services.
