Pemón Villages

Rural and remote areas have inherent disadvantages due to lack of transportation, providers, and financial resources which contribute to general lack of healthcare access. In most remote areas of Venezuela, many indigenous people suffer from lack of healthcare resources. Although the indigenous population may seem insignificant as they make up 1.5 percent of the entire Venezuelan population, the health problems that they face may be the most severe. There are an estimated 3,500 Pemón indigenous people living in twelve different villages that Pemón Health Inc. serves (Urimán, Awarauka, Purpurken, Punta Blanca, Aripichi, Kapaura, San Miguel, Itirica, Savanita, Frijoles, Aveons, and Areku). Urimán is the largest of these Pemón communities and hosts the only fully-trained doctor in the region’s sole medical clinic.

All communities experience difficulty in accessing health care services when the doctor has left the village, and people from villages other than Urimán always have difficulties with access to a doctor as these communities are separated from the main village by daylong walks or travel by boat. In many cases individuals cannot afford to pay for services to visit the medical clinic.

Pemón villagers are affected by a host of health problems—some of which are completely preventable. General bacterial infections, intestinal parasites, malaria, and cutaneous leishmaniasis are common diseases in these areas. Undernutrition is common among many villagers, especially those families without steady sources of income.

Along with these prevalent medical issues that affect the villagers, there currently exists a shortage of medical professionals in the areas. In the past three years there have only been two doctors who have lived in the villages. These doctors have been the only formally trained healthcare providers who have run the only medical clinic within a one hundred mile radius of the main village, Urimán. The 3,500 to 1 patient-to-doctor ratio in this region of southern Venezuela dwarfs the 500 to 1 ratio for the general population of Venezuela. The doctors live in the largest and most central village, Urimán, which is accessible only by plane. Travel distances from other villages to the clinic vary depending on one’s location. The distances range from 2 day walks to half-hour boat rides.

In the general Pemón population, each household has an average of five children. In Urimán there is an average of 4. On average, each villager lives on less than the World Bank’s poverty line (US$1.25). Income used to be generated from mining operations of the region. Due to the closing of mines, mining production has now decreased significantly, so villagers cannot make the same amount of money as they had in years past. With decreased incomes and rising food costs, there exists a noticeable rise in poverty in the region. With your support and contribution, Pemón Health Inc. can start to combat the many issues that villagers must now confront.