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Published Monday, May 4, 2020
Medical attention provided
in indigenous communities
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Four medical teams, made up of doctors and a pharmacist, provided medical services in the indigenous reserve of the Huetar Atlántica Region, Social Security reported on Sunday.
Medical teams prepared to enter mountainous areas for this special mission.
"Each doctor carries his own survival kit," authorities said.
The doctors visited patients in the communities of Bajo Bley, Piedra Mesa, Beibata and Botubata, during a two-day trip. They entered the reserve by helicopter on Wednesday and finished the medical mission on Friday.
This type of medical care in indigenous areas usually lasts a week, but the emergency of the covid-19 shortened the mission. Also, the reduction in the number of people attended was taken as a preventive measure.
The doctors underwent medical screening to guarantee their good health before traveling to indigenous areas.
Among the main medical attention provided by doctors were skin injuries, burns, back pain, uterine bleeding, otitis, prenatal care, flu, parasites, asthma, among others, Social Security said in its statement.
The most important case was the transfer of a patient by helicopter to the Tony Facio Hospital in Limón Province due to burns on his skin.
In addition, they performed 23 medical procedures to extract parts of insects found on the bodies of children.
According to Social Security, the medical team also provided 4,877 coupons for patients to exchange them for medicine at the nearest public clinic.
This is the second service provided by the government to indigenous communities this past month. They are addressing the basic needs of indigenous communities. On April 24, they helped with the installation of aqueducts for the Cabécar people in Talamanca.
The Cabécar people have inhabited Costa Rica since before the arrival of the Spaniards on the continent in the year 1492. According to the Ministry of Education, the Cabécar people have inhabited the national territory of Costa Rica for at least 3,000 years.
Now, nearly 200 inhabitants of three indigenous Cabécar communities have access to drinking water for the first time, announced the Institute of Aqueducts.
About $326,600 was invested in the construction of two new aqueducts built in the communities in Talamanca of Alto Bley and Beckbätä and Kuchey, according to the institute.
"We are making great efforts to guarantee this human right to the indigenous peoples of Costa Rica," said Yamileth Astorga, president of the institute.
During this year, the institute has built 13 pipelines and aqueducts in seven territories with a total investment of $2,168,331, Astorga said.
According to the institute, to carry out these aqueduct projects, international agreements were signed that protect the culture, environment, and linguistic conditions of indigenous communities.
Due to the complexity of the access, it was necessary to transport all the materials on several helicopter trips, including pipes, storage tanks, concrete, tools such as sticks and picks, as well as Spanish-Cabécar officials and interpreters.
The institute is programmed to build two more aqueducts in the indigenous area of Telire Alta Talamanca.
"Currently, there are more than 50 aqueducts in indigenous territories," the institute said.
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Should the health authorities provide more basic services, like drinking water or medical attention, to indigenous communities?
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