The Pandemic in Peru
At the beginning of the pandemic in Peru, indigenous peoples were amongst the most vulnerable. Often living in remote, underserved areas, they lacked medicines, oxygen, and access to healthcare and without financial resources, quickly fell victim to the virus. Comando Matico was mobilized through the efforts of a small team of courageous young indigenous doctors in May, 2020, in Yarinacocha (Ucayali) to visit the sick and their families, bringing medicinal plants, as well as food and support.
Integrative Health Care
Their mission was to revitalize the ancestral knowledge of Amazonian traditional medicine and apply it in the crisis of the pandemic. There are many natural remedies, medicinal plants that exist in the surrounding rainforest that can be powerful protection again Covid-19 and its symptoms. Comando Matico travelled to communities in need and set up clinics where these treatments were made available, as well as oxygen, food, and other necessities. Their efforts saved many lives. Now, in the pandemic’s wake, they are moving to institutionalize their mission and expand their efforts. Their plan is to create intercultural health care centre where local communities can receive integrated treatment with Amazonian plants and learn to prepare their own remedies.
Comando Matico and Education
Comando Matico’s other important mission is education: empowering families in their own health and instructing the correct use of plants in traditional treatments. Their intention is to achieve a synthesis between traditional and conventional models, and to disseminate research to the general public, equipping health professionals with the recent search and applications of Amazonian traditional medicines.
Amazonian Medicine Field School
Are you interested in learning more about the experiences and research of the Comando Matico team? Sign up for our inaugural Amazonian Medicine Field school and hear them speak during our one-day symposium.