Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Verapaz (Fides) - The Health Pastoral Commission of the Guatemalan Bishops’ Conference sent Fides information updated to June 2004 with regard to HIV/AIDS and the south western network area of epidemiological vigilance.
Since 1996 AIDS has spread particularly among young people and people economically active: 6.5 cases every 10,000. Cities with the highest numbers of infected include Guatemala City with 2,945, Escuintla with 621 cases, Quetzaltenango 517, Suchitepequez 489, and Izabal 422. Izabal, Suchitepequez, Retalhuleu, Guatemala and Quetzaltenango have the highest concentration with regard to population.
It should be noted that 67.2% of the total number of infected persons registered by the National Programme since the beginning of the epidemic in 1984 occurred between 1999 and June 2004. Between 1984 and 1998 the number of infected persons was 2,314; from 1999 to 2004, 4,740 reaching a total of 7,054 infected persons.
The number of women infected has also risen. Here are numbers of cases registered in different periods and man/woman ratios: 1984 to 1995 , 485 men and 121 women infected, 4 men: 1 woman; 1996 to1998, 1,308 men and 400 women infected, 3.3 men: 1 woman; 1999 to June 2004, 3,196 men 1,529 women infected, 2.08 men: 1 woman. Sexual transmission is the main cause of diffusion, 93.8% of all cases.
Guatemala has a precarious social and healthcare situation and a scarcity of basic health and education services. So called diseases of the poor, such as diarrhoea, malnutrition, malaria and TB are frequent. The national health service cares for 46.5% of the population plus another 21% with the NGOs, private health services care for 2.5% but unfortunately 30% are without healthcare. The south western region has a high morality rates infant 27.18 and maternal 123.45.
There are 7 regional hospitals, 53 health care centres, 189 dispensaries in 82 municipal centres for Guatemala’s population of 3 million.
Moreover the Health Pastoral Commission of the Guatemalan Bishops’ Conference has launched a programme to fight HIV/AIDS, PROYECTO VIDA. Objectives include: development and reinforcement of co-ordination; refresher courses, health care education methods; development and support of a monitoring system; participation in Co-ordinations for the fight against AIDS at the national level. It is also important to watch the epidemic in the region; develop a programme with health pastoral workers at the inter-diocesan level and start a media programme to diffuse information on the subject. (AP) (8/11/2004 Agenzia Fides; Righe:37;Parole:489)
