Urban Health Meetings at Ilopango and Nejapa’s Mayors’ offices

On June 6th, 2018, Manuel Limonta, Claudia Marroquin, Oscar Reyes, and Gerardo Aldana participated in a meeting held at Ilopango, one of the 14 urban municipalities of San Salvador. The meeting was convened by COAMSS/OPAMSS through Dr. Helen Centeno, Health Advisor to the said organization. The purpose of the meeting was to present the Salvadoran Urban Health Model to the new mayor of the municipality in order to re-establish the ongoing efforts carried out by the ISC-ROLAC Urban Health Working Group. In the meeting, Dr. Limonta presented the Salvadoran Urban Health Model, mentioning a brief timeline from the birth of the model until the latest activities carried out by the participants, mostly from our office. Once the presentation was over, the conversation moved on to discussing the needs of the municipality and the focus they would like to give to the project, which centers its attention in the development of the touristic corridor and entrepreneurship within its inhabitants. In principle, the representatives of the municipality agreed to continue the efforts in the Urban Health projects and showed openness to continue the work started by the previous administration. Having agreed that, it was mentioned the possibility to carry out a workshop in order to address the topic selected by the municipality. It was then said that details such as dates and places would be confirmed after carrying out some inquiries regarding costs, high season dates, and alike.

Products:

1. It was possible to present the Urban Health Model, fostering its implementation in the communities.
2. It was possible to gain support from a municipality with a new administration.

Then, on June 13th, 2018, Manuel Limonta and Claudia Marroquin participated in a meeting held at Nejapa, El Salvador. This meeting was also convened by COAMSS/OPAMSS through Dr. Helen Centeno. The purpose of the meeting was to inaugurate the Urban Health priority project selected by the municipality which is “Home Gardens and Healthy Eating”. The meeting was chair by Ing. Adolfo Barrios, Nejapa’s Major, and Dr. Manuel Limonta, ICSU ROLAC regional director. In his intervention, Ing. Barrios mentioned how his administration is paying close attention to health prevention through the establishment of home gardens, and teaching citizens about healthy eating. Then, Dr. Limonta briefly talked about ICSU ROLAC and its work in the region and country, paying special attention to the Urban Health Initiatives.  Finally, after the inauguration act, the approximately 120 attended were given plants to officially launch this UH municipal initiative.

Products:

1. It was possible to present the Urban Health Model, fostering its implementation in the communities.
2. It was possible to gain support from a municipality with a new administration.