The Current Situation

We have a current level of organization that allows us to have a promoter in each of the 188 communities we work with. Each promoter is able to offer both preventive and curative services through the use of their health kit. There are 32 promoters on Ometepe Island, 22 in San Fransisco Libre, 19 in La Conquista, 18 in El Crucero, 36 in Mulukuku, 25 in Tipitapa, and 36 in Bonanza. They offer at least two consultations each day (that is approximately 11,280 patients seen per month for all the communities). Many of those consultations do not require the use of medicines - and, during the consultation patients receive information regarding the prevention of disease and health maintenance. As a result of providing primary health care to their communities, the promoters (the majority of whom are women) develop leadership skills and become community leaders. Many have gone on to create and participate in community health committees as well as become members of community-wide councils. These positions have led them to direct many publich health / mini-economic projects, such as creating access to clean water, building latrines and roads, as well as the creation of nutritional centers for children. They have also been involved with local Ministries of Health and other non-governmental organizations that are involved with many kinds of development activities.

We also think that establishing small medical clinics in urban areas will be very useful for our people. We are currently developing urban clinics in the eight municipalities where we work, which will facilitate the supply of medicines and materials to all of our promoters.

APS maintains a self-financed system, and we are working with many of our sister organizations so they can do the same, with a similar spirit of self-determination and self-responsibility.