
San Pablo de Loreto, 29 November 2024 – From 25 through 28 November, the community of San Felipe, in the district of San Pablo, province of Ramón Castilla, Loreto, Peru, hosted a series of knowledge dialogue sessions and a practical workshop on face and hand washing within the framework of the SAFE strategy for the promotion, prevention, and control of trachoma and the Initiative for Trachoma Elimination in the Americas.
The activity was organized by the Loreto Regional Health Management Office (GERESA Loreto), with technical support from the National Center for Intercultural Health (CENSI). It was also part of a project to improve the health of communities, women, and children by eliminating trachoma in the Americas, which PAHO is implementing with support from the Government of Canada.
Ten women from the community took part, along with 11 social actors, including community leaders and local authorities. During the sessions, key health problems affecting the community were explored, highlighting the relationship between communicable diseases and hygiene practices.
Participants learned the 10-step process for proper handwashing, engaged in practical demonstrations, and made a commitment to replicate this knowledge in their communities.
The knowledge dialogues (also known as intercultural dialogues) identified gaps in access to safe water and health services, especially for children, women, and older adults. This method was also used to raise awareness of the importance of handwashing for the prevention of trachoma and other diseases.
Following this experience in San Pablo de Loreto, community health promotion is expected to reach Requena, Putumayo, and Alto Amazonas in 2025. Further training this year, with technical support from PAHO, will improve hand hygiene practices in these communities.