Background:
The Pacata Health Center was built in 1990 and is situated in the northern zone of Cochabamba, which is easily accessible. Funding is generated from the Ministry of Health. The Center offers the services of four doctors, five nurses, one dentist, and three administrators. It offers basic medical attention as well as pediatrics, gynecology, psychology, and psychiatry. There is also a laboratory service twice a week.

Objectives:
The Health Center concentrates on health promotion and disease prevention. Members of staff make regular trips to surrounding communities and give educational talks at schools. The Center is the only one in Cochabamba that has a completely computerized patient database, thus providing the most efficient service in the region.

Who does Centro de Salud Pacata help?
The center serves a growing community of 40,000 inhabitants in the northern zone of Cochabamba, most of whom are from low income backgrounds.

Working conditions:
The Center is located in the Tupuraya zone, a fifteen minute bus ride from the center of Cochabamba. It has a permanent staff of fifteen and a number of medical students .

Centro de Salud Pacata Programs:
The Center does not operate specific volunteer programs, but volunteers are welcome to either shadow doctors and/or to make trips into surrounding communities to provide education on Chagas, nutrition, sexual health, etc. Furthermore, there is an ongoing vaccination campaign in which volunteers may participate. Volunteers/ interns with no experience in health care would also be welcome to help with I.T., such as computer training, or hold educational workshops.

Volunteer/ Intern requirements:

• Intermediate Spanish
• Knowledge/experience in health care
• Willingness to make trips into more rural areas
• Must be team player, motivated, and eager to learn
• Minimum commitment period of one month