Guatemala

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Working since 1990 to strengthen Guatemala's health systems and expand access to care for women and families.

Selected Achievements

  • In partnership with the Ministry of Health, Jhpiego built lasting capacity to deliver more effective, dignified care in highly vulnerable communities by strengthening first-level care in 21 municipal health districts through locally adapted, continuous quality improvement.

  • Jhpiego provided technical assistance in more than 100 health facilities across Huehuetenango and Quiché, improving maternal, newborn, nutrition, and family planning services, as well as health security.

  • Jhpiego helped deliver 54,937 HPV self-sampling tests to women ages 30–49, achieving full screening coverage in Quetzaltenango. Among those who tested positive, 87.7% received clinical follow-up and 98.7% were treated using thermal ablation. In total, 5,284 positive cases were identified nationwide, and 96% of eligible women received treatment.

  • Jhpiego supported national emergency preparedness by mapping diagnostic capacity across 46 molecular biology labs and developing the VIGILAB 2.0 system to improve disease surveillance. We also trained health personnel from nine hospitals in mechanical ventilation and 42 lab technicians in molecular diagnostics using a standardized procedures manual.

  • In collaboration with the International Regional Organization for Plant and Animal Health and LARRSA, Jhpiego raised awareness about the reemergence of screwworm in the region. We brought together decision-makers, professionals, and students in human and animal health to discuss containment, surveillance, and reporting measures, reinforcing regional readiness for zoonotic threats.

Our Projects

Expanding Access to Cervical Cancer Prevention

In partnership with Guatemala’s Ministry of Health and with support from UNITAID and Expertise France, the SUCCESS project expands HPV screening and treatment to prevent cervical cancer in underserved areas.

  • Since 2021, we have delivered 54,937 HPV tests across 29 health districts, with 96% of eligible cases receiving treatment

  • In alignment with Guatemala’s National Cancer Law and 2023–2030 strategy, we strengthened labs and trained providers through tailored standards of practice.

  • As part of the demand-generation strategies, a self-sampling kit was developed to demonstrate the process of self-sampling. The kit is used during counseling and educational sessions to help women understand and become familiar with the steps of self-sampling. Its implementation was successful, contributing to increased confidence and acceptance of self-sampling as a screening method for the timely detection of HPV.

Improving Health Outcomes for Women and Children

Through the Reaching Impact, Saturation, and Control (RISE) Project, Jhpiego supports Guatemala’s Ministry of Health to improve maternal, newborn, and child health services while strengthening global health security.

  • The project delivers technical guidance, in-service training, and clinical updates to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of priority conditions.

Country Director

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Dr. Ana Garcés

Guatemala Country Director

Video Highlights

"In community health, it is essential to support and respect the worldview and medical systems with which families and communities identify. It is precisely on this foundation that, through our collaborative relationship with Jhpiego, we have seen strengthened engagement between rural communities and Indigenous populations—especially those of Mayan identity—and health services."
— Dr. Rafael Valdizón , Coordinador Regional, ASECSA Región Occidente