Medical volunteers play a key role in health education and the provision of medical services in the Peruvian Amazon. These generous volunteers free up resources and reduce our costs in reaching vulnerable populations. Your support of medical volunteers from May-September 2022 will help us serve the populations of 18 rural communities, with a combined population of about 3,800 people.
Rural communities in the Amazon are at the tail end of the healthcare system and receive rare and spotty medical care. Throughout the worst of the pandemic, and continuing to date, national medical professionals are posted in larger urban centers, and don't have the ability to visit remote communities, which may be hours or days travel time from a health clinic. When resources (fuels, money) are lacking, many rural residents simply stay at home and hope to get better.
International medical volunteers help fill the healthcare gap. By traveling on the rivers of the Amazon with Project Amazonas, qualified volunteers (doctors, nurses, physician assistants, senior medical students and others) fill a critical staffing role in improving rural health outcomes in the Amazon. These volunteers share their medical expertise directly with individuals, families and communities. They also create awareness of the Amazon's medical needs when they return to their home country.
Repeated visits to communities, with on-going education about good health management and practices is key to improving long-term health outcomes in remote communities. By working with community health workers and younger residents in general, medical volunteers impart critical knowledge and attitudes that will improve community health and the capability of residents to better manage their health needs into the future.
