REPORT OF ACTIVITIES IN AREQUIPA

OF THE PROJECT "PIENSA PRIMERO" “THINK FIRST’ LIMA-PERU

PROCEDINGS: In the city of Arequipa March 2006, Mrs. Monique Pineda and Doctor Marleny Llerena Velarde, outstanding neurosurgeon at the Regional Hospital of Es Salud in Arequipa, agreed to forward the "Piensa Primero" “Think First” Lima-Peru project with the group of neurosurgeons of that institution.  This project is promoted by the NEUROSURGICAL PERUVIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION, in Arequipa.  Its promotion and its impact on the community were planned with the contributions of the local mayors
                        
On October 13, 2006 at 20:00 hours, the 1st group meeting of the "Piensa Primero" “Think First” Lima-Peru program will take place in Arequipa at the ordinary session of the Peruvian Society of Neurosurgery of Arequipa (subsidiary of the Peruvian Society of Neurosurgery of Lima). Among the people who will attend this meeting are Arequipa's neurosurgeons and others neurosurgeons from southern departments of the country; other authorities like mayors and officers of the Education Ministry of Arequipa. Dr. Federico Valencia Lara, director of the program "Piensa Primero" “Think First” Lima-Peru (will present the project to be developed and will promote its main objective which is to avoid the serious consequences of trauma to the head and spine by the use of seat belts in motorized vehicles at the front and back seats, the importance of using a helmet when performing sports like cycling, skating or the skateboard, and not to dive in pools or beaches where the depth is unknown; likewise, he will point out  the "Shaken Baby Syndrome" and its the dangers consisting of shaking babies or throwing them in the air to make them giggle or when there is child abuse.

The First Course  of the project "Piensa Primero" “Think First” Lima-Peru for Promoters will be carried out. This course will last 4 hours and will consist of a simple introductory explanation on the neuroanatomy of head and spinal cord and the pathophysiology of trauma on the cerebral and cranial structures as well as the medullar spinal cord; and how the percentage of serious consequences can be diminished by the use of seat belts, use of helmets and the methodology of the project. We will count with the participation of doctors, specialists, nurses and teachers.