The health branch in the inter-university Master’s Degree in Development Aid is comprised of 3 modules. The second module, “Diseases in developed countries”, considers the visit to Fontilles sanatorium, located in Vall de Laguar (Marina Alta).
The sanatorium was created in 1902 by the Jesuit priest Carlos Ferrís and the lawyer Joaquín Ballester to attend afflicted by leprosy. Currently, given that the disease has diminished, facilities have been reconditioned as rest home. It has continued its work fighting against leprosy in the most affected countries. However, Fontilles develops cooperation projects in countries of America (Brazil, Costa Rica, Colombia, Nicaragua), Asia (China, India) and Africa (Equatorial Guinea). Its work focuses on 3 areas: Healthcare, solidarity and information.
2nd of May 2016 health care students of the current Master edition such as Javier Amador, Carlota M Engama, Raquel Conzález, Lidia Moreno and Beatriz Pachezo, accompanied by professors Gregorio Sabater and Antoni Merelles, from the Department of Nursing of the University of Valencia, were welcomed by Doctor José Ramón Gómez Echevarría.
During six hours professor Gómez Echevarría gave a lesson about leprosy (etiopathogenesis, detection, diagnosis, evolution of the disease, recognition of lesions, treatment, laboratory techniques, bacilloscopy, PCR (Polymerase chain reaction). A panoramic view about the historical evolution of the disease. They visited the facilities of the Fontilles sanatorium (several pavilions, the laboratory) and also they could interact and speak with the pacients and former pacients already recovered who now live in residential care institutions.
Pictures about the visit to Fontilles
Picture 1: Courtyard of the central pavilion of the sanatorium. Dr. José Ramón Gómez Echevarria, the professor Gregori Sabater and Master's degree in Development Cooperation students (Javier Amador Beatriz Pacheco, Lidia Moreno, Raquel González y Carlota M Engama).
Picture 2: Rafael (mini-bus driver), professor Gregori Sabater, students Beatriz Pacheco and Raquel González, Elpidio (resident born in la Vall d’Uixó), students Lidia Moreno and Carlota M Engama.
