Guatemala | June 2020
MEDPULSE
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The Guatemalan government has been criticized for its handling of COVID-19 pandemic. Obscure regulations with unclear curfews ha rendered marginalized and susceptible populations unprotected. T government has been accused of tailoring policies towards the busin interests of the Guatemalan Chamber of Commerce. These policies ha created confusion amongst an uneducated population about pro approaches to medicine, reporting behaviour, and treatment of those t test positive for COVID-19. Reports indicate that the country has less th 400 intensive care beds and 50 respirators. By mid-May, when pandemic had not yet hit its peak, two reference hospitals had alrea collapsed. The president's response has been to refer to the virus a simple flu, assuming that infections would subdue with rising temperatur The country remains in a dire state and in need of aid.
Costa Rica | May 2020
Costa Rica's healthcare system has been praised for its success in improving health outcomes such as longevity, as well as decreasing stillbirths and infant mortality. Since February 2020, the Costa Rican Ministry of Health and the Costa Rican Social Security Fund have been making suggestions and guidelines through mass-media public educational campaigns in an effort to reduce the transmission of respiratory viruses before the country's first case of COVID-19. Recommendations began with churches reducing hand and mouth contact during ceremonies, and were followed by suggestions about improved hygiene, including hand washing, sneezing into the elbow, and avoiding contact with the mouth and nose when hands have not been washed. Enforcement of physical distancing has been steadily increasing since March 11, 2020. Since then, schools and public spaces have been closed, international travel has been limited, and long-distance transit and free transit have been forbidden.
Panama | June 2020
Panama has the second highest level of wealth inequality in Central America, one of the highest testing rates in the region, and one of the highest numbers of detected cases of COVID-19. By May 11, 2020, over 8,616 people in Panama City had been infected, and 249 of those people died. The Ministry of Health in Panama has established an effective containment strategy and has covered all ports of entry into the country since January 2020. To combat the spread of COVID-19, one idea that has been brought up is the introduction of a phone application that allows those affected to report their symptoms, so that people know if they have been exposed. Currently, schools are closed nationwide, and stringent social distancing regulations have been implemented, such as absolute quarantine during weekends and curfews based on gender and personal identification numbers.
References can be found on our website: meducator.org References can be foun
Citations can be found on our website: meducator.org
Rwanda | July 2020
After the outbreak of COVID-19 in Rwanda, several techniques were used to contain the spread of the virus. On social media, two campaigns were organized to encourage compliance with public health measures, including #GumaMuRugo (encouraging staying at home) and #NtabeAriNjye ("Let it not be me") to fight complacent feelings about the virus. Furthermore, testing in Rwanda is widely available and returns results quickly. Rwanda uses a system called "pool testing," where groups of nasal swabs are tested together for COVID-19 —if they return a positive result, then the swabs are tested individually. Technology is also used to limit the spread of the virus; robots check temperatures, find medical records, and monitor patients to minimize infections among healthcare workers. Furthermore, Rwanda has enforced mandatory face coverings and physical distancing guidelines.
