(PORTLAND, OR) February 9, 2022 – To inspire, educate, and motivate women everywhere, Medical Teams International is pleased to present its free Healthy Women, Healthy World Virtual Educational Event. It will focus on how changes in our world are worsening health crises, and how Medical Teams and Providence are fighting malnutrition in Guatemala.

WHEN: February 16, 2022, 6:30 p.m., Pacific Time

WHO: Featuring the following speakers:

  • Walter Lopez, Medical Teams Country Manager, Guatemala
  • Brittn Grey, Executive Director, Global & Domestic Immersion Programs, Providence
  • Amie Bockstahler, RN, Team, Guatemala

HOW: Register online today for this webinar:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYtc-ihqDsuEt02UT2yOC8xfQkRMezg5kWM

Situation: In rural Guatemala, many children are not getting the nutrition they need. COVID-19 and the effects of climate change are making this situation even worse. Guatemala has one of the highest rates of child stunting in the world, as well as high infant and maternal death rates. Children under five, especially those who are malnourished, are susceptible to pneumonia and diarrhea, which also threaten their lives.

Educational Event Focus: During this online program, the panel of experts will discuss why malnutrition is prevalent in this population, and how a changing world impacts health crises like malnutrition. They will also share how Medical Teams and Providence are bringing health to malnourished children in rural Guatemala. Finally, they will address how Americans can help.

Medical Teams and Providence: History of Impact in Guatemala

Medical Teams and Providence have built a long-term, significant partnership in Guatemala that is saving lives by improving the health of mothers and children. A key strategy is the training and empowering of community members to lead and promote change.

Medical Teams began work in Guatemala in 2008. From 2014-2017, in partnership with Providence, Medical Teams implemented the Chicamán Maternal and Child Health Program in 16 rural villages. Since October 2018, thanks to the committed, continued support of Providence and its skilled volunteers, the program has transitioned into 12 new communities in Chicamán. The second stage of this integrated health and nutrition program also provides capacity-building support to 220 Ministry of Health care providers in four health districts.

Results to date show that the multi-faceted program has greatly improved the health status of women and children in Guatemala. The impacted health areas include antenatal and postnatal care, infant and child nutrition, rates of child immunizations, prevalence of childhood diseases, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) indicators.

Building on successes and learnings, Medical Teams and Providence are currently planning to expand into new geographic areas of Guatemala over the next four years. Medical Teams plans to focus on building the capacity of Ministry of Health staff so that they can lead communities in health and WASH projects, as well as disaster preparedness.

About Medical Teams International

Founded in 1979, Medical Teams International provides life-saving medical care for people in crisis, such as survivors of natural disasters and refugees. We care for the whole person— physical, emotional, social and spiritual. Daring to love like Jesus, we serve all people—regardless of religion, nationality, sex or race. Learn more at medicalteams.org and on social media using @medicalteams.

To learn about volunteering with Medical Teams, visit https://medicalteams.org/volunteer/

To help Medical Teams save lives, make a donation at https://give.medicalteams.org/

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