Public Health in the Amazon Jungle

We are a healthcare NGO both in the United States (501c3) and in Peru. The primary focus of our organization is education and health care. Travelling by boat in the remote areas of the Peruvian Amazon jungle; we work with the indigenous people to improve their limited access to health care. Since 2002 we have routinely been working in 28 villages in the lower Napo River region. Those villages represent more than 6000 people; with 60% being children. Through education and training for people to care for themselves; and by bringing services and basic care closer to the people; we are decreasing the need for the people to leave their villages; families and homes in possibly compromised conditions. We are empowering them to be advocates for creating sustainable solutions for their health care needs.

All of our work is accomplished through the efforts of volunteers; who donate their time; talents and skills. Our programs include working with medical and graduate students from all over the world.

Current Programs

• Women’s Project – Education about women’s health and family planning; and for the first time in their lives; women receive screening and treatment for breast and cervical cancer; and preventive vaccinations for HPV. We are now training health care professionals to do colposcopy and cryotherapy. Our research project is in progress relating women’s health and human rights.
• Midwife Classes – Education on safe deliveries; prenatal care; and care and resuscitation of the newborn.
• Medical/Dental Clinics – Treatment and consultation delivered in villages to treat acute conditions; and screening for chronic and surgical problems. Transport provided for patients needing higher level of care.
• Infectious Disease Project – Emphasis on advocacy; education; and accessing government programs of diagnosis and treatment.
• Promotor Health Worker Classes – Education on basic health and first aid; anatomy and physiology; treatment and decision-making for care of patients;  including referral guidelines. We are focusing on leadership and training skill so the health workers can teach within their own villages.
• Scholarship Program – Young people from jungle villages trained in health careers in Iquitos.
• Annual Health Fair and Soccer Tournament “DB Peru Cup” – Public health; safety and first aid education offered in an environment of fun and games.
• Gender-based violence project working with the World Bank and the University College of London; using participative research methodology; with the goal of assisting communities to develop their own plans for prevention of violence.
• Palliative Care – Training; supplies and medicines for local health workers to attend to people with end-of-life care needs with community response.

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