Mobile Clinic Brings Reproductive Care to Homeless Women in Caracas

In Caracas, Venezuela, the nonprofit Fundación Santa en las Calles operates Panarosa, a mobile bus clinic dedicated to providing gynecological and obstetric care to homeless women. Launched in November 2025 as a specialized extension of the existing Panabus program, which serves the general homeless population, Panarosa addresses the specific health needs of women who often face barriers to accessing private healthcare. The initiative was developed after staff noticed that previous mobile clinics primarily served men. The bus offers comprehensive services, including physical exams, Pap smears, family planning, and ultrasounds, delivered by specialists at a standard comparable to private health centers. A key figure in the program is Mariannys Quintero, a nursing assistant and former homeless woman who now helps welcome patients, offering empathy and support based on her own experiences. Since its inception, the broader Panabus program has conducted over 6,000 care visits. The team strategically locates homeless encampments to provide consistent care, aiming to reach all individuals in targeted areas while breaking down taboos surrounding women's reproductive health in vulnerable communities.