* For all photos, you can enlarge them by clicking on them. Press the Left Arrow symbol in the upper left corner of the screen to return to the normal display.
Here is a Map of the region where the Patuca team travels. They usually start at Wampusirpi and go up river (south-west), often as far as the Yapawas area. (click on the map to enlarge)
The Patuca River medical/dental team goes to some of the most remote locations IHS travels to. However, many who go there say it is one of the most rewarding locations they have been to. Each site along the river is a bit different but many things are similar enough for the team to prepare for their work ahead of time. In this way they are able to send most of the team’s needed food and medical supplies in a container. For as remote as this team is, they can also stay in constant communications with the PLP logistic team and many others.
Communications: IHS is planning for the Patuca River team to set up Starlink satellite high speed internet services in each village they stop at to do work. This newly acquired system has a robust network that provides internet access for smartphone coverage plus MagicJack, WhatsApp and other internet calling. It also has a router that provides services for laptop & tablet usage such as emailing, Google searching, Zoom meetings, and most any web site services. All this with the capacity to handle most everything simultaneously and without interuptions. It is better than most US homes’ internet.
Another big reason why communications go so smoothly in these remote villages is the IHS team will often bring added equipment for communications (radios, etc) to talk with other teams. With this back-up gear, comm can provide stand alone services to do e-mailing for team communications and with their families back home plus voice comm with the Puerto Lempira logistics team. This radio gear can also interface emailing capability with the Starlink system. Knowing these capabilities will help each team member to know they have such resources ready when emergencies happen. It is also nice to stay in touch with family back home in the evening.
Select Patuca article to read a great article about a recent February medical trip on the Patuca River. It has good info on the trip plus it has some great photos along the way.
Here is a photo of the February 2020 team that made it all happen !
(More photos and info will be added to this page so check back later)