Medical Needs in Costa Rica

In a remote area of Costa Rica called Talamanca, the nation's poorest yet greenest region, many indigenous people live.This community does not have access to doctors and hospitals.This densely forested area remained virtually untouched until the end of the 19th century, and even today buses do not run within Talamanca, and there are few cars.Instead, walking is the normal mode of transportation.For example, one time when we held an all-night church service, people walked in the mountains for eight hours to attend. 

These are in many respects the forgotten people of Costa Rica. They are good, caring people that live a simple life.Their access to doctors is difficult, although they have all the usual types of diseases, especially foot problems.They have dental and ophthalmologic needs as well.Some of the things we take for granted in the United States are hard to come by in Talamanca such as eyeglasses and diabetes testing supplies. 

We are unaware of any medical mission teams that have come to help the people in the Talamanca region in the past few years.It remains an area and a people in great need.