Empowering Communities, Improving Lives
The Global Acupuncture Project (GAP) is a nonprofit corporation that has been working in Uganda since 2003 and Mexico since 2013. Our mission is to promote the adoption and use of acupuncture to reduce pain and suffering, improve quality of life, and help to instill a greater sense of hope. We believe that everyone deserves access to effective and safe treatments, regardless of their economic or geographic location.
Services Offered
At GAP, we offer a range of services designed to support the adoption and use of acupuncture in low-resource settings. Our approach is based on the idea that community healthcare providers should be trained to use a simple and effective form of acupuncture to treat symptoms associated with HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB, and other debilitating conditions. To achieve this, we provide trained local healthcare providers with a manual that explains the theory and techniques of acupuncture in a clear and simple way. This manual is the core of our training program, which also includes presentations of specific acupuncture protocols associated with the signs and symptoms manifested by HIV, malaria, TB, and other conditions.
Training and Certification
We train licensed acupuncturists to use and teach the manual, and these acupuncturists travel to specific target communities to train local individuals. We also maintain contact with the communities we work in to provide ongoing support and supervision to ensure better integration of acupuncture into healthcare facilities and the overall healthcare system.
Advancements and Impact
Over the years, GAP has made significant advancements in our mission to promote the adoption and use of acupuncture in low-resource settings. In Uganda, we have trained and certified more than 300 providers who now provide acupuncture in hospitals and health centers. We have also worked with the Ministry of Health to provide trainings in government healthcare facilities in more than 10 districts. In Mexico, we have trained more than 50 health promoters and midwives in Tehuantepec, Salina Cruz, and San Cristobal de las Casas.
Patient Success Stories
One of the most rewarding aspects of our work is the positive impact we have on the lives of patients. In Uganda, a patient who had been experiencing shoulder pain and insomnia due to fear, a feeling that something was going to happen to her, with palpitations and a lot of sadness, received acupuncture treatment and began to cry and share her traumatic past for the first time. In Mexico, a patient with shoulder pain and insomnia was able to walk again after receiving acupuncture treatment.
Conclusion
The Global Acupuncture Project is committed to promoting the adoption and use of acupuncture in low-resource settings to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities around the world. We believe that everyone deserves access to effective and safe treatments, and we are dedicated to making this a reality.
