MINSA : Actions by the Government of Nicaragua to address the coronavirus

MINISTRY OF CITIZEN’S POWER FOR HEALTH

ACTIONS CARRIED OUT BY THE GOVERNMENT OF NICARAGUA AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS

 

Since January 2007, the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity considers Health as a Human Right. In order to achieve this Human Right, it promotes the Family and Community Healthcare Model, which prioritizes Health Promotion and disease prevention, without neglecting the curative aspects of diseases, strengthening the Hospital network, Healthcare Centers, Healthcare Posts and Maternity Homes, with new or rehabilitated infrastructures and modern equipment.

 

This Model takes Healthcare to Neighborhoods and Communities through Health Fairs, Mobile Clinics and “My Hospital in My Community”.

 

The basis of this Model is the Protagonism of Families and Communities reflected in the Community Network, integrated by Midwives, Brigades, Volunteers, Natural Medicine Practitioners and other Community Leaders. This Protagonism is reflected in the Anti-epidemic Fight, Vaccinations, Healthcare Services Quality Assessments, among others.

 

Within the framework of this Family and Community Healthcare Model, we are developing the following Actions to prevent and address Covid-19:

 

1. Under the guidance of Comrade President of the Republic, Comandante Daniel Ortega and Vice President, Comrade Rosario Murillo, since January 30th, 2020, the National Inter-Institutional Commission has been operating to strengthen surveillance at the entry points of the country, the same day the WHO declared an International Alert for Public Health because of COVID-19.

 

2. We have protocols for preparedness and response in place, which we update periodically according to the recommendations made by the WHO.

 

3. We have updated guidelines for the medical care of patients according to their severity.

 

4. In 20 Hospitals nationwide, we have rooms equipped with ventilators, suction pumps, vital sign monitors, among others. We also have equipment for the protection of Workers that attend the affected, according to severity.

 

5. Our Centers and Healthcare Posts are organized for early detection and have mechanisms to transfer patients to designated Hospitals.

 

6. We have the capacity to diagnose COVID-19 through real time PCR tests at the National Reference Laboratory, recognized by PAHO/WHO.

 

7. Travelers who enter the country through any of Nicaragua´s entry points, have their temperature taken and are diagnosed for respiratory symptoms. To date, we have monitored 70,518 travelers.

 

8. Faced with any positive case, we carry out a search for their contacts, the identification of possible symptoms and provide the medications that they require.
    

9. Within the framework of our Family and Community Healthcare Model, we carry out house-to-house visits, searching for people with fever or respiratory symptoms.

 

10. We have medicines, medical supplies, means of protection and ventilators, as well as other equipment to provide attention for the affected. We also have arranged purchases to increase availability.

 

11. At the national level and with the participation of the community network, an intensive awareness campaign is being carried out in markets and through house-to-house visits, in order to promote prevention measures.

 

12. We have trained Workers of the Public and Private Healthcare Units on prevention measures, identification of suspicious cases, protection measures for workers, medical care and patient transfer.

 

13. We have trained 250,000 Members of the Community and Political Networks, Community and Religious Leaders, Public Servants and Municipalities on Preventive Measures, early detection and referral of cases to Healthcare Units.

 

14. We continue transmitting messages regarding the prevention measures and early detection of COVID-19 in Universities, Schools, CDI’s, Work Centers, Religious Activities, Markets and Bus Stations.

 

15. We have held meetings with Mayors of the Citizen’s Power, Teachers and Youth, to inform them of the world situation and actions for prevention and early identification of the disease.

 

16. We continuously exchange experiences with Specialists from China, Taiwan, Korea, India and other countries, as well as with International Experts of PAHO and the Henry Reeve Cuban Medical Brigade on the prevention and management of COVID-19.

 

17. We hold Meetings with the Diplomatic Corps and Cooperation Agencies to inform them about the Measures that the Country has adopted in the preparation and response against COVID-19.

 

18. We are part of the Regional Contingency Plan with the Countries of Central America and the Dominican Republic, for the joint response against COVID-19.

 

19. The behavior of the disease is made known to the population through the Citizen’s Power Media, once a week at the National Level.

 

20. We have strengthened the Model of Citizen’s Responsibility and the Authority of the State and Government, in terms of Public Health and Healthcare of Families and Communities, working from all Spaces of Commerce, Public Transport, Study, Social Exchanges, among others, relying on the Awareness that we promote, always Caring for the Health of each and every one.

 

21. We have been able to keep the Country open, Thanks to God, with the Solidarity and Complementary Protagonism of the State, Institutions, Government, Mayor's Offices, Women, Men, Families, Young People, Elders, Workers, Students, Merchants, Producers, Cooperatives, among others, protecting the Material and Social Life of Families, Jobs, Education, Schools, Universities, Technical Centers and all forms of Gathering and Labor that are part of what we call the Model of Life and Citizen Protagonism, Solidarity and Complementary.