ICAS - NEWS
ICAS PROMOTES SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENTS.
In May 2009, in partnership with the Universidad Evangélica de Nicaragua (UENIC) and with financial support from the American Cancer Society, ICAS initiated a pilot project to develop and implement a smoke-free policy within the UENIC. The project marks a reference point for institutions and organizations to take action to protect the population from the damage caused by smoking and second hand smoke.
With this project ICAS joins international and national efforts to fight tobacco use, which aim to protect young and future generations from the harmful effects the tobacco epidemic causes to social and economic development.
For more information about our programs or projects, or would like to support our work - please contact Us
ICAS PROMOTES SMOKE-FREE ENVIROMENTS IN SCHOOLS.
This project provides students and teachers at public schools with tools and materials to achieve smoke-free schools and to prevent children and adolescents from taking up smoking.
We are working alongside other sectors, to support and promote the approval of the new tobacco control law in Nicaragua and to contribute to controlling tobacco, using advocacy and providing evidence.
The project will be executed in 10 public schools from Managua, Ciudad Sandino and Tipitpa during one year - with support from the International Union Against Cancer.
MEETING WITH NGOs WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE WHO SNIFF GLUE.
On February 26, 2009, ICAS organized the first coordination meeting with civil organisations working with glue-sniffing young people. This was in the context of the project: "Building the Capacity of Civil Society to Facilitate Access to Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Services for Glue-Sniffing Adolescents and Youth in Managua and Masaya". The meeting was attended by 19 people from the following organizations: Casa Alianza, Hogar Crea, Yes to Life, Funjofudes, Tesis, Los Quincho, Two Generations, Inhijambia and ICAS.
The meeting publicized the ICAS project which ICAS is implementing with support from ICCO; exchanged ideas on the activities of each organization; discussed the problems related to glue-sniffing young people; and assessed the formation of a consultative group (multi-sectoral and inclusive) of civil society organisations, which will address the issues of glue-sniffing young people.
This first meeting had positive results, showing the interest of all participants to form a consultative group which will facilitate discussion where the organisations can learn from each other and help overcome weaknesses. This will assist in making sure that actions are complementary, that resources are efficiently used and that glue-sniffing young people will receive more comprehensive care.
ICAS COMPLETES PROJECT FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF STI/HIV/AIDS IN VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.
The project aims to contribute to the prevention of STI/HIV and promote and the defend human rights and sexual and reproductive rights of the most vulnerable groups in our society.
Among the activities and results achieved are:
Through this project ICAS contributed to meeting the goals of the project: "Nicaragua, Commitment and Action against AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria", financed by the Global Fund.
PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE HIV SERVICES TO GLUE-SNIFFING ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE.
In December 2008, and with support from ICCO (International Inter-Church Organization for Development Cooperation), ICAS started an innovative intervention. The aim is to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS in glue-sniffing adolescents and young people in Managua and Masaya. The project aims to facilitate access to HIV/AIDS services through a comprehensive model of accompaniment.
The project will sensitize key actors (Ministry of Health, Police) and train those NGOs which work with the target group to apply the model in their own strategic plans. The project will raise awareness among key actors.
This initiative is a response to the problems of glue-sniffing youth, who live on the streets, suffering inhumane conditions due to their addiction. They lack access to health services, especially those related to the prevention and early detection of STIs and HIV. The situation is worse for those who have tested HIV positive, and who have no access to comprehensive care appropriate to their condition. This project will directly benefit some 300 glue-sniffing young people.
ICAS PROMOTES THE STRENGTHENING OF CIVIL SOCIETY TO FIGHT TOBACCO USE
On 1 and 2 October 2008, with support from TKF, ICAS organized a workshop called "Communication and Policies to control tobacco use". This was implemented by the team "Comunicación; Disciplina y Conciencia" (CODICE). The workshop was held at the Holiday Inn, Managua with the participation of 15 representatives of civil society organizations including: Centro de información y servicios de accesoria en salud (CISAS); Profamilia; Universidad Evangélica de Nicaragua (UENIC), the National Committee for the Fight against Tobacco - NCFT (5 members), Pastoral de la Universidad Centroamericana, National Assembly, PATH and La Asociación de Jóvenes Comunales.
On October 15, 2008, with the Universidad Central de Nicaragua, ICAS organised the workshop "Advocacy to control tobacco use". 13 NCFT members were trained in the key elements for the development of an advocacy plan to achieve the adoption of the new anti-tobacco law in Nicaragua.
On November 6, with support from UENIC, ICAS organised the workshop "Smoke-free environments" with the participation of 6 NCFT members and over 30 university students.
ICAS PROMOTES COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT TO IMPROVE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH.
From August to December 2008, ICAS trained over 200 community promoters (teachers, community leaders, religious leaders, volunteers, etc.) from 63 rural communities belonging to 9 municipalities of the department of Matagalpa. This was part of the project "Familias Unidas por su Salud - FAMISALUD". These promoters are an essential part of the communication strategy to prevent STIs and HIV in rural areas.
ICAS ORGANIZES THE FIRST ANTI-TOBACCO FORUM FOR STUDENTS.
On November 14, 2008, with support from the Ministry of Education and the authorities of 5 public schools of Managua, ICAS organised the first anti-tobacco forum for students. This was attended by 60 students and 6 teachers representing 5 schools (Instituto Miguel de Cervantes, Instituto Experimental México, Instituto Dinamarca, Instituto Azarías H. Pallais, Instituto República de Austria). The forum discussed anti-tobacco issues and presented lectures on topics relevant to the control of tobacco use, for example; damage to health, second hand smoke, the rights of non-smokers and skills to resist social pressures to start smoking.
Walk Against Cancer. October, 2007.
Walk Against Cancer. October, 2008.
ICAS PARTICIPATES IN THE WALK AGAINST CANCER AND LUPUS.
ICAS is a member of an Alliance formed of various organizations from civil society since 2007 and led by the Foundation Gurdián Ortiz (FOG). The aim is to promote the fight against cancer in Nicaragua.
The Alliance consists of organizations such as FOG, Maria Auxiliadora Association CONANCA, ASMUCAN, ASONILE, PATH and the House of Cancer working to support cancer patients with limited economic resources.
The partnership organizes the annual walk to raise awareness about cancer and lupus. We must increase our efforts to remove the stigma of cancer and create a culture of prevention and solidarity with people with cancer. The slogan of the march is "Every Day is a New Hope".
The marches in the years 2007 and 2008 were well accepted by the public. Click here if you would like to see more pictures of the walk.
Together we can beat cancer !
Promoters of Pueblo Nuevo Municipality, Department of Jinotega
Promoters of Cua Municipality, Department of Jinotega
ICAS PROMOTES COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE PREVENTION OF CERVICAL AND BREAST CANCER
Since October 2008 ICAS and the Community Health Association (ASC) ASC Rio have received a seed grant from the American Cancer Society to implement the "Project of Community Alliance for the Care and Training of cervical cancer and breast cancer in the department of Jinotega and San Juan River".
This project aims to inform the community network about the importance of prevention and early diagnosis of cervical and breast cancer. It aims to improve the skills of medical personnel in visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) in Rio San Juan.
Training for Community Network will achieved by strengthening the capacity of the local health system in Jinotega and River San Juan.
We expect that the results of this intervention will be replicable in the rest of the 8 SILAIS which are currently running the GINECOBONO program, thus contributing to reducing morbidity and mortality from cancer in Nicaragua.
ICAS attended the "First National Forum of Cervical and Breast Cancer"
In October 2008, ICAS participated in the first National Forum on Cervical and Breast Cancer organized by the Ministry of Health with funding from international agencies.
The representative of the Ministry of Health emphasized that cancer is a global challenge which must be met by a coordinated effort by the central MoH, SILAIS, NGOs and International Medical Organizations.