Health in Bolivia

In 2022, the public entity in charge of defending the rights of its citizens, Defensoría del Pueblo de Bolivia, published a report of the evaluation of SUS, in which they identified its main problems and limitations.

Addiction to coca paste, a cocaine by-product in the form of a cigarette called 'pitillo', was spreading rapidly among city youths.

Other youths who worked as coca-leaf stompers (pisadores), dancing all night on kerosene and acid-soaked leaves, also commonly became addicted.

The pitillo addict suffered from serious physical and psychological side-effects caused by highly toxic impurities contained in the unrefined coca paste.

[16]In its 2007 Annual Report, the United Nations-dependent International Narcotics Control Board (IFB) called on the government of Bolivia to act immediately to abolish uses of the coca leaf that are contrary to the 1961 Convention.

The report further questioned the commercial uses of coca leaves in the production of tea, matte and flour, citing these uses were in contradiction to international drug control treaties.

[17] Evo Morales himself attended the 52nd Session of the UN Narcotics Commission where he spoke in defense of coca leaf production and use.

Morales stated that not only indigenous people use coca leaf, but also other groups including students, miners, professionals and others.

Morales claimed that the coca leaf in its natural state has medicinal and nutritional qualities and does not cause harm.

He explained that the country's recently approved Political Constitution protects the coca leaf and its cultural heritage because the plant in its natural state is not narcotic.

There have been initiatives led by FHI with their aid effort in Bolivia by implementing two programs aimed specifically at Health and Food Security, and Agricultural Intensification and Income Production.

[20] Since table salt is the most commonly and widely used food additive, there exists a potential of chronic lead poisoning of the entire population.