As part of its commitment to strengthening the region’s response to vector-borne diseases, the Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS), in coordination with the Gobernación de Santander and Secretaría de Salud, is advancing a comprehensive training strategy aimed at health sector personnel. The initiative seeks to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of these diseases, which continue to pose a significant challenge for the region.
This initiative is carried out within the framework of a UIS outreach project, funded by the Gobernación de Santander and Secretaría de Salud, and led by the Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales – CINTROP (CINTROP). Its purpose is to place the University’s scientific and academic capacities at the service of the territory through the transfer of knowledge generated by research to the health sector and local communities.
According to Jonny Edward Duque Luna, professor at the School of Medicine and director of CINTROP, these training spaces respond to the need to update the knowledge of health personnel who work directly with the population, particularly in relation to diseases with high prevalence in Santander.
“Our goal is to strengthen the capacities that exist in our department at all levels, from technicians who carry out daily work in the field to physicians who treat patients in hospitals,” he stated.
For his part, Bladimiro Rincón, full professor at the School of Medicine in the Department of Basic Sciences, highlighted that one of UIS’s main contributions is the integration of research, education, and service to the territory.
“This is a collaborative effort with the health sector in Santander aimed at updating knowledge in the management of vector-borne diseases, from diagnosis to treatment, especially conditions such as dengue, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis, which significantly affect the department. We conduct workshops and community-based work in the field as part of a collaborative effort led by the Faculty of Health,” he said.
From CINTROP, Professor Patricia Escobar explained that the project aims to train health personnel in the current guidelines for the comprehensive management of these diseases.
“Vector-borne diseases represent a serious public health problem for our region. That is why we are working on the management of four priority diseases. There are guidelines that are sometimes unknown or overlooked, and this initiative seeks to unify concepts so that medical personnel and all involved stakeholders can act more effectively in the prevention and control of these diseases,” she stated.
The training activities include theoretical and practical workshops aimed at microbiologists, physicians, nurses, and nursing assistants. Among the specialized sessions, training in the intralesional application of glucantime, a first-line medication for the treatment of leishmaniasis, stands out, as well as workshops on the use of rapid diagnostic tests, in accordance with the current guidelines of the Ministry of Health.
Scientific Evidence Applied to the Territory
One of the project’s distinguishing features is its comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach, which connects scientific evidence with the realities of the territory. For Professor Duque, this initiative represents a direct application of knowledge to real-world problems.
“This project is unique because, for the first time, we integrate all areas related to vector control, from highly qualified personnel and technical teams that analyze data to the final point of the process: people and communities,” he explained.
He also highlighted training experiences involving professionals from different disciplines. “We have trained psychologists who initially face complex terminology, but when we show them the insects themselves, their structures, and the entire biological process, learning becomes clearer. This allows them to carry out their work with greater confidence and contribute from their professional field to vector control,” he added.
Strategies to Educate and Engage the Community
The project also includes educational actions aimed at the community, recognizing it as a key stakeholder in the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases. Through recreational activities and educational content shared on social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, the initiative promotes simple, participatory, and context-based learning processes that encourage shared responsibility in health and environmental care.
Impact on Health Personnel and the Community
The impact of these actions has been recognized by professionals participating in the training processes. Jhon Mario González, an epidemiologist from the Piedecuesta Health Secretariat, emphasized the importance of these spaces in strengthening the sector’s response capacity.
“These training sessions are essential because they allow us to refresh knowledge and receive training that is not only theoretical but also practical, which translates into better care for the community,” he noted.
From the perspective of direct patient care, María Flores, a professional nurse at the Piedecuesta Local Hospital and leader of the epidemiological surveillance program, underscored the value of the training received in ensuring better patient care.
“This workshop on leishmaniasis is very important because it allows us to apply concepts to real situations we face in our institutions, combining theory and practice,” she said. She also highlighted that the practical component, particularly in medication administration, contributes to providing timely, high-quality care to patients.
Training activities will continue to be carried out in different regions of the department and will include not only health personnel but also educational and outreach actions with the community, which are essential for prevention, vector control, and reducing the impact of these diseases on the population.
