Peru: Policlínico Peruano Americano

Annual Chocolatada: December 2016

December 31, 2016

Magali M. de Pujalt

Peru Initiative Reports

Chocolatada

A Holiday Celebration in Peru

This year at our annual Chocolatada Christmas celebration, RMF Perú hosted 80 children, ages 2 to 9. RMF’s team traveled through the villages surrounding our health clinic, Policlínico Peruano Americano, to specially invite children from the neediest families. During the event, children received a new toy and a bag of treats, containing mini panettones, chocolate, cookies, and candy. There was also a drawing for two children to receive scooters.

The event was hosted by the RMF Perú team and 5 volunteers and ran from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Decorations, music, entertainment, and gifts were funded or donated by local friends of RMF.

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Background

On August 15, 2007, Pisco, Peru experienced a deadly earthquake: 7.9 on the Richter scale. Over 500 people died, more than 37,000 families were left without homes, and 150,000 people were left without water. The majority of the health infrastructure was damaged or destroyed in the earthquake, and the people were in need of medical attention. Real Medicine Foundation’s team was deployed to Peru on October 12 in an effort to assist those most in need.

The primary objective of our project was to bring long-term free healthcare to the victims of the earthquake who had lost their homes, possessions, and in many cases, loved ones. The areas most affected were Pisco, Ica, Chincha, Cañete, and Huancavelica. The site of the RMF clinic is in San Clemente, Pisco. San Clemente is the poorest district of Pisco, and the overwhelming majority of people cannot afford to pay for health services. In addition, outreach programs have been initiated to service the health needs in the very remote and impoverished areas around San Clemente and Pisco.

Objectives

Treatment of acute and chronic illnesses at our urgent care center, “Policlínico Peruano Americano.”
To provide all basic health services for free. To promote co-responsibility and sustainability, the clinic requests a minimal fee for specialty services, such as lab work and ultrasounds, and offers wholesale prices for medication. Patients who cannot afford minimal fees or wholesale prices are not charged.
To improve the comprehensive health of the community through outreach programs, educational programs, and public health initiatives.
Prevention and health education are strongly emphasized in all facets of the clinic’s operations.