The Caring Family Foundation and Associação Médicos Da Floresta Introduce a First of its Kind Mobile Medical Bus dedicated to Indigenous Communities in Brazil

On World Health Day, 7th April 2025, The Caring Family Foundation (TCFF) and Associação Médicos Da Floresta (AMDAF) proudly announce the launch of a state-of-the-art mobile Medical Bus.

The first of its kind in AMDAF’s 9 years of service, this Medical Bus is a groundbreaking step in Indigenous healthcare access. Following advice from the Indigenous Health Secretary (SESAI) from The Ministry of Health (MS), the Medical Bus will respond to specialist medical needs identified in Indigenous communities consisting of 38,000 individuals in 2025 to offer vital health assistance within these communities. This partnership with TCFF continues our collective commitment, taking vital healthcare into the heart of these Indigenous communities, where in many cases, cultural barriers and fear to leave their land prevents Indigenous people from seeking medical care in cities.

The Amazon rainforest, the largest rainforest in the world, is estimated to hold 150-200 billion tons of carbon in its forest and soil. Deforestation releases this carbon as CO2 into the atmosphere, driving global warming and causing widespread harm to the planet, making it a challenge that affects us all, not just Brazil.

The need is clear, by protecting our guardians of the rainforest, we protect their land. Without crucial medical support Indigenous people cannot continue their fight against deforestation and displacement.

Fitted with solar panels across the entire roof, the energy captured is used for the entire internal electrical system of the bus; The installed medical equipment, charging of mobile equipment, the consultation rooms and air conditioning. The Medical Bus is equipped with state-of-the-art technology; Electrocardiogram machinery, dental x- ray and ultrasound machines, dentistry and ophthalmological chairs, ophthalmological machines, and a fully fitted laboratory for testing. With a medical team of volunteer paediatricians, ophthalmologists, dentists, gynaecologists, microscopists, nurses, logistics specialists, the Medical Bus offers a variety of essential healthcare services, including:

• Paediatric services to assess and treat children, focusing on preventive care and early intervention.
• Women’s health and gynaecological exams, including imaging tests to address women's health concerns
• Ophthalmological exams to diagnose and treat eye conditions like cataracts and other diseases that may require surgical intervention
• Dental exams, including x-rays and necessary treatments
• Emergency GP care
• Electrocardiograms for heart diagnostics
• Blood tests and other diagnostic procedures, with immediate results, a service sometimes not accessible even in mainland Brazilian hospitals

Immediately deploying upon completion, the first challenge for the Medical Bus is reaching the Indigenous communities of Pakarãnã and Asurini do Trocará totalling 2,100 people, in Pará, Brazil. Driving the Medical Bus 6,638km through the rainforest, the equivalent of driving from London to Beijing, and experiencing extreme rainfall causing the bus to frequently get stuck in muddy terrain. The Pakarãnã people live in the Parakãnã Indigenous Land, which spans approximately 413,000 hectares along the Tocantins and Xingu rivers, with a population of 1,500. They rely on traditional practices such as mammal hunting and horticulture, and their culture is deeply rooted in a close connection with the forest. Upon reaching the community in March, it was identified that 1/3 of the Parakãnã required medical assistance, reinforcing the essential need for this specialist support. The Asurini do Trocará, with a population of 600, reside in the Trocará Indigenous Land, a 4,100-hectare area in the same region. They are known for their subsistence activities such as fishing, gathering, and hunting. Despite their rich cultural heritage, the Asurini do Trocará also face substantial challenges when it comes to healthcare, particularly in terms of access to preventive treatments and specialized care. Upon reaching this community in March, it was identified that 2/3 of the Asurini do Trocará required medical assistance. Of the 2,100 Indigenous people reached in March alone, the Medical Bus provided healthcare to 900 individuals, nearly half of the total population in the region.

In 2025, the Medical Bus will visit nine Indigenous communities residing in over 1 million hectares of the Amazon rainforest, reaching 38,000 Indigenous people offering healthcare to anyone within these communities in need. This marks only the beginning of the Medical Bus initiative, with much more to be done in the journey ahead.