Over the first half of 2021, Mano a Mano’s network of clinics had 466,822 patient visits. Our counterpart organization Mano a Mano Bolivia also provides continuing health education programs, and has a number of new clinic projects currently under construction – all with the goal of improving access to quality healthcare for communities throughout Bolivia.

Every Mano a Mano project is a partnership, with many people working together – thanks to the local communities; municipal governments; the Bolivian Ministry of Health; donors and volunteers in the US, Bolivia, and other countries; and our counterpart organization Mano a Mano Bolivia that oversees and manages these health projects!

Patient Visits in Mano a Mano’s Network of Clinics

As a part of the Bolivian health care system, Mano a Mano’s network of 176 clinics provide monthly reports to the Bolivian Ministry of Health. Our clinic program’s approach is that health outcomes can be dramatically improved with simple yet effective interventions, beginning with the basic ability to consistently access quality services in their own communities. While COVID-19 has been (rightfully) the dominant current health issue, primary health care is needed now more than ever; our network of clinics serve a vital role in providing access to primary health care for communities in rural Bolivia.

Mano a Mano’s network of clinics had 466,822 patient visits in the first half of 2021 (165 clinics reporting).

Looking at One Clinic’s Activity: Kaspi Cancha

Mano a Mano’s health clinic in Kaspi Cancha, Bolivia – dedicated in March 2020.

Mano a Mano completed an expansion of the Kaspi Cancha clinic in December 2019, which was dedicated with the community in March 2020. The newly built clinic provides healthcare access to the 1,682 people in the community, and expands the services provided by Mano a Mano’s first clinic built in Kaspi Cancha in 2011. Below is a basic breakdown of the clinic’s services provided over the first half of 2021; we receive reports like this for each of Mano a Mano’s clinics.

Report on clinic activity for Mano a Mano’s clinic in Kaspi Cancha for the first half of 2021.

New Clinics Under Construction

Mano a Mano Bolivia is currently working on 2 new clinic projects in the communities of Guadalupe and Sarufaya, and has started construction on a clinic in Panamá, Aiquile, Bolivia. There are a number of other clinic projects with signed agreements and funding in place that will be underway in the coming months.

Mano a Mano Bolivia working on the construction of a new clinic in Guadalupe, Bolivia.

With each clinic Mano a Mano builds, the goals are the same:

Improve maternal and infant health.
Increase the number of medically-assisted births.
Easier access to family planning services.
Access to primary care and immunizations.
Stronger preventative care and public health education.
Improve access to government public health programs.
Permanent training of health personnel.

Ongoing Funding for Mano a Mano Clinic Staff in Bolivia

With Mano a Mano clinics, they become part of the Bolivian healthcare system and are the official provider for their catchment area, making them eligible for services and reimbursement through Health Ministry-funded programs. All staff salaries in Mano a Mano’s clinics are paid for by sources within Bolivia. We have over 525 doctors, nurses, and dentists working in Mano a Mano’s network of clinics, and Mano a Mano does not pay for any of them on an ongoing basis. With this partnership agreement, we can ensure that there is stable funding in place, and we can continue to complete new infrastructure projects in communities that currently do not have local access to care.

Source of funding by Mano a Mano staff position in Mano a Mano clinics, first half of 2021 (165 clinics reporting).

Continuing Health Education

A critical component of Mano a Mano’s health program in Bolivia is to provide health education:

to communities through weekend health clinics providing basic services
to Mano a Mano’s clinic staff through continuing health education workshops
to medical professionals from other organizations

These programs are managed and administered by Mano a Mano Bolivia, and serve a complementary role to the construction of community clinics throughout rural Bolivia. Although workshops have been limited in 2021 (and 2020 as well) due to quarantine and distancing protocols, Mano a Mano Bolivia hosted 6 health education workshops for 419 attendees.

An ObGyn course hosted by Mano a Mano Bolivia in September 2021.

Providing Medical Supplies & Equipment

We also continue to provide medical supplies and equipment sent from Minnesota to Mano a Mano’s network of clinics.

Learn More About Mano a Mano’s Health Programs in Bolivia

Mano a Mano Clinics: 466,822 Patient Visits in the First Half of 2021