Bienvenida/Welcome

Thank you for learning more about EAPSEC and the Health and Human Rights Center.

To Donate, Visit: www.pih.org/youcando/entango.html & Designate "Mexico: Chiapas"

EAPSEC

The residents of the southern Mexican state of Chiapas have long struggled with poverty and dismal health conditions, including among the highest rates of infant, maternal and tuberculosis mortality in Mexico. EAPSEC, a Spanish acronym for "Team for the Support of Community Health and Education" is a group of dedicated public health activists.  Over the course of 20 years, the four person team have honed their skills as community organizers, health educators and advocates in isolated, poor communities across Chiapas.

Collaboration with Partners in Health

Starting in 1989, EAPSEC has been a supported project of U.S.-based NGO Partners in Health (PIH).  PIH is known for its ethic of health as a human right and has extended modern medical care to many of the world's poorest people in Haiti, Peru, Russia, Rwanda, Malawi and Lesotho.  Their modest budgetary support helps EAPSEC improve medical infrastructure in the region and to recruit and train hundreds of health workers, known as Community Health Promoters.  Harvard doctors also work with EAPSEC through the PIH-affiliated Global Health Equity Residency program at the Brigham and Women's Hospital's Division of Social Medicine and Health Inequalities.

Launching the new Health and Human Right Center

A group of experienced Health Promoters proposed the Center as part of an expansion of their work.  They envision a larger Health Promoter network with higher standards of training, grassroots prevention projects and increased health care access.  PIH and EAPSEC are collaborating with Health Promoters to make their vision a reality, combining local leadership with advanced medical and community organizing expertise. This partnership is the most effective long term strategy to make a lasting difference in the lives of marginalized people in the Sierra Madre of Chiapas. 

The Vision of the Center:

• Train Health Promoters and become a hub for new resources, supplies and support
• Provide effective primary health care for a population of 12,000 people in 25 communities
• Facilitate knowledge sharing between local communities and U.S. professionals
• Support grassroots community efforts proven to prevent disease