Twinning: Celebrating our Accomplishments and Working Towards a Better Tomorrow

By Deniece Chevannes, MPH, CHES, Health Educator
 

It has been three years since we started working with our twinning partner, Fundación Nacional de Hemophilia Bolivia (FUNAHEB) in Bolivia, with a goal of helping them improve access to care in Bolivia and creating a sense of community for those affected by bleeding disorders. I am so proud to say that things are changing for the better and that FUNAHEB has become a strong advocate for people with bleeding disorders in Bolivia.

In May, Millie Rondon and I traveled to Bolivia to provide hands on training to FUNAHEB and learned firsthand of the wonderful progress they have made. FUNAHEB successfully worked to obtain a grant that will provide lab equipment for two children’s hospitals in Bolivia to provide diagnostic services for people suspected of having a bleeding disorder. This is a significant step in improving access to care. Once properly diagnosed, families affected by bleeding disorders will be able to receive education on how to better deal with bleeds. Additionally, FUNAHEB is working with the Ministry of Health of Bolivia and other regional health partners to provide training for nurses and doctors on how to manage bleeding disorders for those newly diagnosed.

While there, we celebrated the 5-year anniversary of FUNAHEB. It is remarkable the progress that this small but determined group of volunteers have made to improve conditions for people in Bolivia. As we enter into the last year of our twinning partnership, we feel proud of the work we have done with FUNAHEB and we feel hopeful for the changes that tomorrow will bring.