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Brigading for Better Health

Over Spring Break this year, our groups spent eleven days on the edge of the Darién Gap within the Darién Province of Panama. We assisted Panamanian medical and dental professionals in clinics in three different communities; we were all together in Yaviza but were split up between the indigenous communities of Arretí and La Cantera. We also spent two days in an indigenous community, Lajas Blancas where we worked with UNICEF on their WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) project. We worked together to dig over 400 meters of ditch line in thick clay where the professionals then were able to lay piping that will be connected throughout the community. We were able to visit another indigenous community, La Peñita to understand how the water filtration system was working for them having already had the project finished in 2022. Finally, we visited a seventh local community where we had a cultural exchange of music and dance.

We will be brigading in Honduras in March of 2024. We have picked our brigade roster for this year. Check back with us during the summer of 2024 for the plans for the 2024-2025 brigades!







Panama 2023

Honduras 2019
Over the years we have been able to brigade in four of the countries that Global Brigades operates. Our orgs, the Global Medical and Global Dental Brigades have travelled to rural Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, and Ghana where we facilitated medical, dental, and public health tasks. Over the course of the brigades, we work with medical and dental professionals to provide medical and dental care to patients. We have also tackled several public health intitiatives, assisting local masons and artisans in the construction of septic tanks, washing stations, biodigesters, and the mixing and laying of concrete flooring. In addition, we have worked on water brigades' projects that help improve access to water in these small communities as we help dig trenches and lay piping that will serve entire communities. Most recently we partnered with UNICEF in rural Panama on an extensive WASH project. 

"It speaks great volumes about the quality of our university and the commitment of our students." - President E. Gordon Gee

More About Brigades

Medical Brigades

Medical Brigades

During the first half of the Global Brigades experience, students are tasked with responsibilities such as intake, triage, consultation, pharmacy, and charla.

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Dental

Dental Brigades

While tasked with Medical Brigade responsibilities, students are additionally tasked with assisting dental workers in providing dental care to patients.

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Brewster and Boys

Public Health Brigades

During the last half of the Global Brigades experience, students are tasked with performing public health services that benefit the community and its members.

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Ghana PH2Ghana PH2 

WVU Medical and Dental Global Brigades Highlights

Brewster Pool

WVU Global Medical and Dental Brigades

To learn more about Global Brigades, check out their home page.

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