IOM Peru and regional authorities are today opening the doors of
the first mobile health clinic in the town of Puerto Maldonado in
the remote Amazonian province of Madre de Dios.

The “Life Caravan” or Caravana de la Vida
initiative, implemented by the Regional Government of Madre de
Dios, with support from IOM and the President’s Office for
Welfare and Social Action, will provide much-needed health care,
including basic health services, triage, obstetrics and dental care
to vulnerable and displaced populations living in remote towns and
villages.

Each caravan, which will be co-funded by the Madre de Dios
region and IOM, will be staffed by a doctor, an obstetrician, a
dentist, a nurse, a laboratory technician and a driver.  It
will include the truck containing the clinic, two large tents and a
motorcycle. The clinic will cover a set route in 20 days and will
spend three days in each village.

In the pilot phase, the first mobile health clinic will visit
communities located 2 to 4 hours away from the capital of the Madre
de Dios region and will reach a population of over 48,000 people
this year.

“The mobile health clinics represent a pioneering effort
in Peru.  The facilities will provide an essential service to
poor and remote communities. They will also be able to identify and
assist victims or potential victims of human trafficking,”
explains José Iván Dávalos, IOM Chief of
Mission in Peru.

The staff of the mobile clinics will also work with local health
officials to strengthen and complement existing health
services.

 

The Madre de Dios region is experiencing a dramatic increase in
internal migration. An estimated 40,000 people have migrated to the
area to take part in illegal gold mining activities.  Many of
them are living in spontaneous camp sites and small mining
settlements that lack basic hygiene and health services.

For more information, please contact

Carolina Santos S

IOM Peru

Email: casantos@iom.int

Tel: +51 968 216 777 / +51 221 7209 Ext. 145.