Pro Mujer Inaugurates Its 71st Health Clinic in Bolivia

By Gustavo Trigo, Head of Marketing and Communications for Pro Mujer in Bolivia with contributions by Adriana Villaseñor, Communications Manager, Pro Mujer International

Thanks to a generous donation on behalf of the German government by Ambassador Phillip Schauer, on October 8^th Pro Mujer in Bolivia (PMB) opened a new health clinic in its San Borja center bringing the total number of neighborhood centers with health clinics to 71.

Our newest clinic currently provides health services to more than 900 clients and their family members in the city of San Borja and the town of Yucumo, a region composed of several rural and primarily indigenous communities in the Bolivian Amazon. In total, we expect to serve approximately 3,600 people.

Pro Mujer's San Borja center.

Ambassador Schauer traveled to San Borja accompanied by PMB representatives including PMB’s Director of Health, Caroline de Hilari. With the leaders of San Borja in attendance, the Ambassador highlighted the important work being carried out by the German government in Bolivia and the ties of friendship that have united the two nations for years. He also congratulated Pro Mujer for the work its work in promoting health and the development of women from the most impoverished communities in the country.

The German ambassador to Bolivia shares a few words with those in attendance, including Pro Mujer clients, staff, and journalists.

After a few words of welcome and thanks to local civic leaders, Ambassador Schauer proceeded to perform the ceremonial ribbon cutting, inaugurating the clinic.

As part of the celebration, a reception was held featuring traditional pastries of the region. Afterward, attendees enjoyed a performance by a dance troupe made up of members from the communal bank, Las Poderosas, or Powerful Women.

Caroline de Hilari and Ambassador Phillip Schauer with the dance troupe that performed at the event.

This represents another step forward in the implementation of Pro Mujer’s health strategy, which aims to be high-impact, sustainable and help prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, sexual and reproductive health problems, and breast and cervical cancers.

From January to November of 2011, PMB provided a total of 145,812 medical interventions (consultations) through 71 clinics serviced by full-time doctors and nurses. These trained medical personnel come to the center 2-4 times per week, according to the needs of each clinic.

These consultations, the majority of which are provided to clients free of charge, form part of the more than 300,000 interventions that Pro Mujer has provided throughout the region in 2011.

To learn more about how Pro Mujer is addressing chronic disease in Latin America, please click here.