OUR PROGRAMS
medical program
Each weekday, from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, our medical team provides quality care, consultations, and treatments, including lab and pharmacy services.
The main objective of the medical program is to provide quality medical attention at low cost to the patients of the Palajunoj Valley of Quetzaltenango in order to: guarantee patients a reliable diagnosis and treatment plan alongside the acquisition of low-cost medication; promote positive health outcomes by reducing the risk of diseases and improving the quality of life of our patients; and complement our Nutritional Recovery and Preventive Health Education programs.
DENTAL PROGRAM
Our team serves patients who were satisfied with the services provided and returned to consult us again as well as new patients who, through recommendations, are now familiar with our services.
The main objective of the dental program is to provide quality dental care at low cost to adult and child patients in the 10 communities of the Palajunoj Valley of Quetzaltenango. Our dental program collaborates with the medical program in the mobile clinics of schools and health centers, the beneficiaries of the nutrition project, and the medical days of the institution, contributing to the reduction of dental caries.
NUTRITIONAL PROGRAM
Stunting, also known as chronic malnutrition, is the condition in which children are much smaller in height than expected for their age. This condition affects children's overall development, health, and well-being. Children who experience stunting are at a higher risk for diseases and reduced productive capacity as adults. Stunting has been a generational problem in the country, and much of the adult population is of short stature. Due to this prevalence, many people consider it normal to be short, making the problem of stunting invisible. Overall, stunting is a major concern for thousands of Guatemalan children, negatively affecting both their present and future.
MOBILE CLINICS
Our mobile clinics serve the four most distant communities in the Palajunoj Valley, where healthcare access is extremely limited compared to the rest of the communities. Only two of these four communities provide governmental public health services that are offered once or twice per week, but they do not supply a varied inventory of medications. Thus, our mobile clinics provide necessary support for patients.
The main objective of our mobile clinics is to deliver equitable medical, dental, and nutritional services to the furthest and most isolated communities of the Palajunoj Valley. Our mobile clinics offer personalized and safe treatments to promote health prevention and maintenance.
The main objective of the nutritional program is to provide care and nutritional education to patients who visit the clinic and through our community outreach program. We serve pregnant women, as well as children under five years of age and their mothers, in order to recover and maintain their proper nutritional status. Our program offers the necessary guidance and information to ensure quality nutritional care.
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
Primeros Pasos is the only clinic that provides quality and affordable reproductive health services and prenatal care in the Palajunoj Valley.
The main objective of our reproductive health services is to help women of all ages gain more autonomy over their health and future. Primeros Pasos provides a safe environment for pap smears, modes of contraception (such as birth control), pregnancy tests, family planning, and culturally-informed education and counseling on sexual health. Expecting mothers receive regular prenatal visits with ultrasounds, prenatal vitamins, and nutritional consultations as well as follow-ups after delivery with their newborns. Our services demonstrate that investing in women’s health leads to improved health for their children and families.
SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM
Through our service learning program, volunteers have the opportunity to develop both professionally and personally through activities that allow them to learn firsthand the challenges that our communities face and the work that Primeros Pasos does to improve their quality of life.
While we always look for ways our volunteers can develop in their field of expertise, it is also of vital importance for Primeros Pasos that our volunteers have a well-rounded experience by participating in other general activities.