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Bolivia has a public health care system, as well as
private health clinics. There are three levels of public health care. The
first is composed of small local health centres, which handle routine
matters and minor complaints, often using traditional healing practices.
The second level of care is provided by small district hospitals. The
third level is for urgent or specialized cases and is provided in general
or specialized hospitals.
Malaria (which is spread by mosquitoes) and Chagas
disease (which is caused by a tiny parasite and spread by insects called
vinchucas) are life-threatening illnesses that are common in Bolivia.
There have been some outbreaks of cholera, a disease caused by contaminated
water. Leprosy and tuberculosis are problems in some areas. Bolivians
may also suffer from heart disease and cancer. |
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Malnutrition is a problem for poor families,
especially for indigenous people in rural areas. Although rural health
centres have been established, people in remote areas still have limited
access to health care. Certain jobs also carry special health risks. Miners
are at risk of lung diseases such as silicosis or tuberculosis.
Some people who visit the mountainous regions of
Bolivia develop sorojche (altitude sickness). Usually, people recover
from sorojche after resting. In the past, people dealt with the
problem by chewing on a coca leaf. Medical institutes, such as the Institute
of Altitude Pathology and the Institute of Altitude Biology at the University
of Bolivia in La Paz, study the effects of altitude on the human body. |
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Did you know? |
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The coca leaf has been used since ancient times to
combat stomach pains, hunger, fatigue, altitude sickness and other common
maladies. It is chewed and also put in gums, cough syrups, toothpastes and
teas. |
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Bolivians living in rural areas may use traditional
medicine to treat health problems or visit a yatiri (shaman) or
thaliri (fortune teller). Indigenous peoples, especially those who
live in the rainforests, use plants to cure illnesses. Many doctors and
researchers have studied their methods to learn about the healing properties
of plants. Teas called matés are popular stomach remedies.
Matés of chamomile, anise and coca are quite common.
Trimaté combines all three ingredients. A common cold remedy
for adults is a drink called té con té, which contains
alcohol. Another popular cure for colds is the juice of an onion or a
turnip sweetened with sugar.
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Did you know? |
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One special group of Aymara people is called
Kallawaya, which means "medicine on the shoulder." They carry packs
of herbs on their shoulders. They were once the healers of the Incan
emperors and are still knowledgeable about herbal medicines. The drug
quinine, which is used around the world to treat malaria, was discovered
by the Kallawaya.
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