Rural health initiatives launched in Uruguay and Colombia

In Lavalleja, Uruguay, a rural health day was held at Escuela Nº 17 in Estación Solís, involving seven local rural schools. Coordinated by the Lavalleja Departmental Health Directorate, the event provided oral health services, vaccinations, ophthalmological screenings, and sexual and reproductive health guidance.

A central component of the Uruguayan initiative was field research conducted by the Ministry of Public Health’s Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP). This research focuses on the epidemiological situation of human cystic echinococcosis in Lavalleja from 2015 to 2026. As part of this effort, ultrasound screenings were performed on children aged 5 to 15 to identify undiagnosed cases of the parasitic disease, supported by the Hospital de Clínicas Imaging Academic Unit.

In La Linda, Colombia, a comprehensive health day took place at the La Linda Educational Institution. The event offered services including vaccination, mental health orientation, cardiovascular risk screening, and vital signs monitoring. To encourage participation among children and adolescents, the event featured a Halloween theme. Dental care was also provided, including fluoride varnish applications for youth aged 1 to 17 to prevent cavities.