We recently held an intensive workshop with Dr. Luisa Almonte, Coordinator of our Chronic Care Program focused on Early Detection and Diagnosis Skills, which are practical skills our community health workers rely on in their daily work.

The session emphasized early identification of conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, two of the leading causes of preventable illness and death in our rural areas.

Participants reviewed the correct use of portable monitoring tools, including digital blood pressure monitors, glucometers, measuring tapes, and BMI scales. They also learned how to interpret results and recognize when a patient needs follow-up or urgent medical care.

A key part of the workshop covered how to assess whether a case requires immediate attention—such as hypertensive crises, severe hypoglycemia, or signs of decompensation—and when to activate emergency protocols or refer the patient to primary or secondary health facilities. We also emphasized the importance of accurate data collection during community visits to ensure efficient and informed referrals.

In remote communities, where health centers can be hours away and transportation is limited, this training truly saves lives. Well-trained community health workers can recognize warning signs early, apply sound clinical judgment, and help prevent manageable conditions from turning into medical emergencies. This community-based primary care model helps bridge access gaps, strengthens prevention, and ensures no one is left behind simply because of where they live.

This training reflects our ongoing commitment to bring primary healthcare directly to the people, shorten diagnosis times, prevent serious complications, and empower our community health workers as the first line of care.

We’re grateful to everyone who participated so actively, and to Dr. Luisa Almonte for her leadership, dedication, and excellent teaching.