Guatemala
GHI Country Strategy
The immediate priorities of Guatemala’s National Health Plan are developing information systems and health intelligence; extending the health service network, particularly in the 125 poorest municipalities; reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and chronic malnutrition; improving supply chain management of essential health commodities; and expanding health financing. The overarching Global Health Initiative (GHI) country goal in Guatemala is to increase collaboration and implementation of evidence-based interventions for the most vulnerable populations. The goal includes three focus areas:
- Improving access to and quality of maternal and child health, family planning, and reproductive health services in Guatemala, with an emphasis on rural and indigenous populations
- Preventing chronic malnutrition for children under 2 years of age, with a focus on rural and indigenous populations
- Strengthening the use of information for action at all levels of the health system
The Government of Guatemala has made important commitments to health and social investments, including expanding access to free services; reducing maternal and infant mortality; reducing chronic malnutrition; improving access to services for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention; strengthening surveillance systems within the National Epidemiology Center; and helping families stay healthy by making family planning and other services available.
- Download the Guatemala GHI Strategy [PDF, 396KB].
GHI Principles in Action – Improve Metrics and Monitoring and Evaluation
The GHI Country Team in Guatemala has united the U.S. Government health team across program sectors and agencies to battle rampant chronic malnutrition and stunting, a strategy priority for GHI and for the Guatemalan Government’s own national health plan. The health team is working with the economic growth team to link agricultural production, income generation, and gender equity with improved nutrition. The U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) health projects teach parents which foods should be part of the daily diet, linking the importance of good prenatal nutrition for mothers, exclusive breastfeeding of infants, and optimal feeding practices of children with agricultural programs that work with farmers to produce healthy foods. Peace Corps volunteers are teaching children and communities good hygiene and sanitation practices, so diarrheal illness does not rob children of nutrients, making them more susceptible to common illnesses. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has supported the Ministry of Health to eliminate the transmission of onchocerciasis in four crucial areas. It also is building a nutrition and disease surveillance system that will be passed on to the government to help it detect, monitor, and fight disease as well as building the capacity of local counterparts to better analyze and use data for decision making.
Funding
For information on planned funding, please visit the Foreignassistance.gov country page.
Other U.S. Government Resources