Abstract

DUARTE GOMEZ, María Beatriz; ORTEGA ALEGRIA, Martha Liliana; MORA RIOS, Luis Hernando  and  COROMOTO FERNANDEZ, Noly. A health care model for the Wayúu people on the colombian-venezuelan border. Rev Panam Salud Publica [online]. 2011, vol.30, n.3, pp. 272-278. ISSN 1020-4989.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1020-49892011000900012.

At meetings and workshops with Wayúu communities and government officials from Colombia and Venezuela, after validating the analysis of the health situation and its determinants, the components of a binational health care model for the Wayúu people living on the border between the two countries were identified. Although both countries have made progress in intercultural health care, some aspects of their legislation and service organization still need to be strengthened to make the guaranteed right to health a reality. The allocation of new national resources-or the redistribution of current resources-should be ensured, as well as the management of international resources for conducting a short-term pilot project and implementing the model in the medium term.

Keywords : indigenous health; border health; vulnerable groups; health systems; health services coverage; Colombia; Venezuela.