Amazon Community Medicine Track:

This track focuses on a holistic approach to community medicine in rural areas including indigenous health. Participants may gain exposure to common diseases such as: scabies, fungal infections, parasites, malaria, diarrhea, pulmonary infections, pneumonia and TB, as well as public health issues facing the community. Participants will:

• Learn about the healthcare system in the Amazon region of Puyo . This program will focus on community medicine which consists of three tiers: hospital, ambulatory, and prevention and health education efforts.  

• Identify and appreciate the differences between the urban and rural government institutions and their role in healthcare provision. Players include social security, faith-based healthcare services, NGOs and others.

• Learn and understand challenges patients face in accessing healthcare due to geographical and cultural barriers, and the efforts and varying approaches of local healthcare personnel to overcome these barriers (i.e. community health visits)

• Learn about indigenous healthcare beliefs by visiting local indigenous communities such as Shiwakocha (Kichwa), Uwijint (Shuar) and Jatari (mixed)