It is estimated that the total area of the five municipalities has 13,500 hectares of coca bush, grown predominantly by approximately 2,500 small farmer families. In addition, the project will provide support in the health sector. Main health problems include tropical diseases, children s diseases, high infant and maternal mortality, adolescent pregnancy and domestic violence. The high incidence of water-born diseases is directly linked to poor water conditions and the lack of sanitation infrastructure. The current available health services are dispersed and expensive.
Many families have to walk eight hours before reaching a rural pharmacy or health post.
The strategy aims at improving the health situation in a community through strengthening the public network of rural promoters, expanding and better equipping of rural pharmacies, as well as basic training in first aid to the community members. In addition, the public health entities will have expanded their preventive and promotional activities to the project area. At least 820 coca growing families will benefit directly and 2,700 families indirectly from project support. Four thousand families will be provided with basic medical care through a network of small rural drugstores.