The Intersection of Biomedicine and Traditional Medicine in the Peruvian Amazon

Authors

  • Melanie Rose van Soeren University of British Columbia
  • Melissa Aragon University of British Columbia

Abstract

In Northeastern Peru, in the Amazonian district of Loreto, one million Peruvians, mostly Indigenous and Mestiza, live isolated from the rest of the rapidly developing country.   This region has a rich history of traditional medicine, and with financial, geographical and cultural barriers to biomedical care, there exists a unique interaction between allopathic and alternative treatment models.  During a clinical elective in the village of Santa Clotilde, in a hospital serving a population of 20, 000, two University of British Columbia students encountered this integrative system and witnessed health-seeking behaviours that at times were positive, and at others lead to tragedy.

Published

2015-10-09