U of A Students to Spend Week in Nicaragua Providing Health Care for Rural Communities

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – This spring break, 28 University of Arkansas students will travel to Nicaragua for a seven-day medical brigade to help those who are less fortunate.

Global Medical/Dental Brigades, a registered student organization at the U of A, aims to improve global equality and individual quality of life through student-led health services and programs.

Accompanied by licensed physicians, dentists, pharmacists and community health workers, these student volunteers will help provide comprehensive medical and health care in under-resourced communities while fostering local cultures in these areas.

“For most of the residents we will serve, this is the only opportunity for medical care they will have all year,” said junior Justin Miles, president of Global Medical/Dental Brigades. “It’s very humbling to be able to provide medical attention to those that would not necessarily have it if it was not for organizations like Global Brigades.”

Global Brigades is the world’s largest student-led global health and sustainable development organization offering many programs to countries in need. The group offers services in rural communities that have limited access to many sustainable resources such as health care.

“We will provide many of the same services that you would expect to find at a walk-in clinic here in the United States,” Miles said. “In addition to preventive care and wellness services, we will also have obstetrician/gynocologist, general dentistry and health education services available.”

While its trip primarily focuses on health care, the group will also get the chance to assist with the Global Brigades Water Project.

“Simply accessing clean water is an ongoing issue for people in this area, which is why we are excited to be able to spend one of the days of our brigade assisting with the Global Brigades Water Project,” Miles said. “Together, we can make a big impact in the lives of so many people.”

Global Medical/Dental Brigades is asking for donations of supplies for the trip. The group has a donation collection box in the Maple Street entrance of the Pat Walker Health Center. Donations must be dropped off by March 15.

Items needed:

• Combs
• Travel size shampoo/conditioner/body wash
• Soap/body wash
• Duct tape
• Garbage bags
• Gauze
• Medical tape
• Paper towels
• Scissors
• Sharpies
• Small paper bags
• Ziploc sandwich bags
• Sunglasses