HIV remains a critical problem in Panama due to complicated list of factors. The indigenous region of the Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé is no exception. Traditional healers are a main source of healthcare among those of the Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé.

In October and November of this year, CDNA supported medical education on HIV/AIDS for a wide cross-section of providers with the overall objective of increasing the triage of final-stage HIV patients into Western Medical Care. ASASTRAN (Association of Natural and Traditional Health of the Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé), in coordination with Peace Corps Panama, CDNA, and the Ministry of Health Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé, trained 59 traditional doctors, midwives, and health promoters on several HIV/AIDS topics, including — stigma reduction, linkage to services, emotional support, follow-up visits, and more.

The seminars were facilitated in the Ngäbere language by a team from ASASTRAN who have been trained in HIV and AIDS, especially AIDS symptoms. Participants expressed a high level of enthusiasm and motivation to take action to fight the epidemic in their areas.

A shout-out to Eliana Socha, who did a super-duper job coordinating these workshops!! Eliana was once a CDNA volunteer and now serves as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer. This project will continue in 2020 with CDNA´s support and a newly approved grant from the United Nations Development Programme