Community Health Workers Save Lives in Trujillo, Peru
On Peru’s northern coast, the province of Trujillo is known as a cultural and financial hub, yet dramatic economic disparities persist. In Trujillo’s La Esperanza district, more than 80% of residents lack access to reliable, safe drinking water. Often, families must buy water from tanker trucks.
Health inequalities are also stark. In Trujillo, 25% of pregnant women and 35% of children under five suffer from anemia, a health condition caused by poor nutrition that can lead to heartbreaking complications. Yet, access to trained healthcare professionals is often lacking in remote communities.
CMMB’s community health workers have stepped forward to fill the gap. Through community outreach, they play an essential role in strengthening Peru’s health system—and saving lives.
Lifesaving Care for Underserved Communities
In La Esperanza, CMMB supports a team of 69 community health workers. Trained by CMMB and supervised by eight healthcare professionals, these volunteers bring health solutions to the nearly 6,000 residents of La Esperanza. Equipped with tools like thermometers, blood pressure monitors, and educational materials, they help to catch health issues early, when they are easiest to treat, and deliver home-based care. When needed, community health workers provide referrals to health facilities.
For a community health worker in Peru, every day looks a little different. One day, she may meet with a young mother to counsel her on preventative health practices and the importance of preparing nutritious meals. She distributes iron supplements, and if she sees a child is malnourished, she may help the mother arrange to see a healthcare professional.
Another day, the community health worker may help organize a CMMB-run immunization campaign. She counsels parents about the importance of making sure children are vaccinated at appropriate ages and completing the entire vaccination schedule.
Thanks to community health workers in Peru, more children are protected against anemia — and fewer die from preventable diseases.
For women and children and children in Trujillo, the care community health workers provide is essential. Twice a year, CMMB’s dedicated volunteers in La Esperanza take height and weight measurements and conduct hemoglobin tests for all children under five, combatting widespread malnutrition by closely following the nutritional status of more than 1,300 children.
Since pregnant women also have a higher risk of developing anemia, community health workers offer comprehensive support. In monthly home visits, they counsel pregnant women about nutrition, hygiene practices, and pregnancy danger signs. To reduce pregnancy and childbirth complications, they encourage expecting mothers to attend regular prenatal appointments and deliver their babies in a health facility with a skilled provider.
After the baby’s birth, CMMB’s community health workers continue to make monthly home visits—providing the care and reassurance that is so critical in the first months of life. They monitor the baby’s health and give new mothers helpful advice.
Meet Rosa Lara
Rosa Lara, one of CMMB’s community health workers, works in the Nuevo Jerusalén community of the La Esperanza district, where she provides compassionate care to people who may not otherwise have access to health providers. She is proud of the difference she is making in her community.
“My work allows me to be a bridge between the community and health services, educating about healthy practices, promoting disease prevention, and helping people make informed decisions for their health,” she told us.
CMMB is grateful to Rosa Lara and community health workers like her. Through tireless efforts and compassionate care, they save lives in their communities.
We invite you to watch the video below to hear Rosa Lara share what motivates her service as a community health worker.