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Recent articles have addressed the poverty that affects the country of Guatemala. One of the things that has been focused upon recently by international organizations is the deterioration of health of the citizens of Guatemala City. There is a real crisis occuring right within the limits of the capitol city.
Almost the entire focus of relief efforts that pour into the country are upon the rural areas of Guatemala. Of course these efforts are necessary and the people are in need of the aid they receive. However, not much has been done by the government to see that the residents of the poorest parts of Guatemala City receive aid as well.
According to the Prensa Libre only 40% of citizens choose to go to a health clinic or a doctor when they are ill. The study found that many are being infected with disintary and respiratory diseases that are directly linked to their poor living conditions. Inadequate sewer facilities, no drainage systems, poor water quality, and the amount of trash, all take part in the decline of health of these citizens. Other factors such as hypertension, violence, and diabetes are common additives to the problem in these areas.
Although there are periodical health fairs that provide immunizations and other services usually found at health clinics, the Prensa Libre reports that these are to few and too far between to have any lasting impact. A recent investigation by the World Bank concluded that the drainage system, water treatment, and trash collection must change drastically in the hardest hit areas to begin the cycle of change. It is estimated that 172,000 people live in the most impoverished areas of Guatemala City.
Hopefully, this will be an eye opener that all of Guatemala City is not as it seems in Zona Viva. There is a great humanitarian crisis happening just 10 minutes away. When you fly into Guatemala City, look down, as you approach the airport, the plane usually flies unbelievably close to the majority of the area spoken about.
