Floating Doctors has been working with the indigenous Ngable-Bugle indians of Panama since 2011. A sustainable network of medical-care, health education, emergency response, and remote community based outposts and projects has been created in a region where few other services exist.
Over 120,000 people live in our current mission location, the Bocas del Toro province of Panama. About 80,000 people, primarily indigenous Ngabe-Bugle, live scattered across small islands, mangrove swamps, and along jungle river systems in remote rural locations with little or no access to basic services. Lack of medical care, sanitation, clean water, and electricity leave these communities vulnerable to disease, illness, and social disenfranchisement.
We address the health and community needs of the Ngabe-Bugle by providing medical care, education and training, supply donation, emergency medical evacuation, advanced medical care interventions, and community based public health and works projects to create sustainable improvements in health. For many we are the only regular health care they receive. Through our permanent commitment to Panama we can create lasting and sustainable changes to the regions overall health and community wellness.
Providing care for over 10,000 patients, staffing our remote outposts, and continuing to develop our health education and community project programs will greatly improve the immediate access to care and sustainable changes in community health for over 80,000 Ngabe-Bulge in the region. Our commitment to the region has affected thousands of people in over 30 communities and with continued growth, thousands more will receive regular care and gain a stronger and healthier voice in Panama.
