In El Salvador, where 1 out of 5 sick people can’t afford the medication they need to get well, the Clínica Integral de Atención Familiar in Santiago de María provides low cost, quality health care, medications, and outreach services to thousands of underserved families.
Since its founding by Americares in 2003, the Family Clinic in El Salvador has provided diagnostic services and treatment for a range of conditions, from acute illness, to chronic and communicable diseases – often working on the front lines of disease outbreaks such as Zika. The work of the Clinic is built on the basic precepts of primary health care: Promotion, Prevention, Healing and Rehabilitation.
The Americares Family Clinic is staffed by a dedicated group of local doctors, dentists, a psychologist, registered nurses and licensed technicians who provide a number of comprehensive Health Care Services, including:
General Medicine, Pediatrics, Gynecology, Obstetrics, Dentistry, Internal Medicine, Psychology, Nutrition, Physiotherapy, Mammography, X-Ray Services, Ultrasound, Electrocardiograms, Audiometry, Clinical Laboratory Testing, Respiratory Therapy, Bone Density Screening, Minor Surgery, Dermatology, Pulmonology and Visual Health as well as Pharmacy Services.
The majority of the health problems facing the community served by the clinic can often be attributed to conditional environmental factors, human behaviors and social determinants of health. Therefore the clinic offers regular health education programs to individuals who seek treatment from the clinic as well as within the surrounding community. The clinic conducts educational activities based on health promotion and prevention, covering over 30 various topics and reaching thousands of families.
In addition to programs offered onsite, clinic staff provided services in the community at local health fairs and visits to local schools. Topics have included oral hygiene, breast feeding, and a disease prevention initiative to help diabetics learn how to manage their condition. Additionally, the staff has introduced courses on challenges facing adolescents and countering domestic violence.
The Clinic opened in 2003 under an agreement between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Americares as part of USAID’s Earthquake Recovery Program. Under this agreement, the clinic was jointly funded by both organizations through September 30, 2004. Americares now assumes all operating responsibility for the clinic. The clinic is supported through donations from individuals, corporations and foundations in El Salvador and the United States and represents a model of quality health care.
Educational outreach is a critical component of the clinic’s work in the community and beyond. Here medical staff help the community learn about mosquito control.
Omar was diagnosed with an infection and treated by a clinic pediatrician. A few months later, he was back in the office for a follow up appointment and was happy and healthy.
Patient Visits
Services Provided
Community Outreach Beneficiaries