Health Projects
The Q’ero people lack access to basic health care and suffer complications from common ailments that lead to mortality all too often. The infant mortality rate is a staggering 47%. Developing sustainable and practical solutions to these challenges is an area of development for Heart Walk Foundation. Please contact us if you are interested in exploring ways you can support our efforts to improve health care services for these indigenous mountain people.
Health Problems
The Q’ero people rarely receive treatment for common ailments. Many suffer dental infections and caries, wounds and skin infections, parasites and digestive ailments and simple infections that those of us in the western world wouldn’t consider life threatening. Vaginal and uterine infections, complications of pregnancy and childbirth, and upper respiratory infections can be deadly. The most frequent causes of child mortality are simple respiratory infections and diarrhea.
Heart Walk Foundation has been creative in delivering basic health care services to the Q’ero people. Day clinics with international volunteers have been held in the open air. Teeth brushing is now a part of every Q’ero child’s life at school.
sustainable solutions
Health Services
Until recently, an ill or injured person in the highlands would have to hike two or three days to the nearest place to receive any kind of medical attention. Peru’s Ministry of Health began providing basic medical services at a rudimentary medical outpost in the village of Quico in 2015.
Providing Health Care Services
Heart Walk Foundation has been funding a full-time obstetrician and a nurse since 2018. We are seeking donors to continue to provide essential health services to the Hapu and Quico Q’ero communities. Please see our goals and needs wish list to the left if you’d like to make a specific donation. Or contact Penelope Eicher, HWF board member at 435-619-0797 if you want to be a part of this important initiative.
