The tain forest bulletin

Rainforest Medical Bulletin
Vol. 7, no. 1, June 2000
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Captured by Traditional Medicine in the Peruvian Amazon
Anders Hansson
While researching for the travelling exhibition 'Rainforests for Health' one of our editors became acquainted with Mr Anders Hansson, who had been commuting for over 20 years between a job in the pharmaceutical industry and acommitment to Peruvian traditional medicine and indigenous people. Before definitely settling in Peru, he provided us with information on AMETRA, an important local health care initiative, and now allows us a closer look into his fascinations.
How did a Swedish urbanite like you get to live in Peru?
'When I first arrived in Pucallpa in July 1976 I had little knowledge of the Shipibo-Conibopeople (see map) and still less knowledge of their traditional medicine and medicinal plants. Unforeseen events had led me to the Peruvian Amazon from an established job as a medical information manager at an international drug company in Sweden. I got temporarily enrolled in the training of primary health workers among the Shipibo-Conibo at the 'Hospital Amazónico' in Pucallpa (see box ). Founded inthe late 1950s by the German physician Theodor Binder, this hospital was to receive Swedish support, as I happened to read in a newspaper.'
'Nearly 25 years later, and after many return visits to Peru, I have definitely settled in YarinaCocha after periods both in Peru and Sweden. My progressing knowledge of the Shipibo-Conibo culture and their traditional medicine, combined with a kind ofenchantment by the tropical climate and nature, have apparently determined my destiny. A very decisive phase was the initiative to start the AMETRA project (Applicatión of Traditional Medicine) by the medicine man Guillermo Arévalo. I worked closely with him during 4 years in the 1980's when the aims of AMETRA were established.'

How does AMETRA intend to promote traditional medicine?
'Inventories,different kinds of investigations and above all continuous training of primary health workers and discussions with the people in the Shipibo-Conibo villages were the main ingredients of my work during these years.'
The aims of AMETRA were: 1 - Acceptance of traditional medicine; 2 - Extensive use of local resources; 3 - Correct use of vegetable and commercial drugs; 4 - Conservation of floral andfaunal resources.
However, Guillermo Arévalo left and since long dedicates himself to other areas of traditional medicine, pushing for its importance in other parts of Peru and abroad. He has published a book on the Ucayalian medicinal plants.'
Did one survive Guillermo's departure?
'AMETRA still exists, since long as a proper organization, with a board being elected every two years. Today theycollaborate with 79 villages, which are being visited by boat-trips of up to two weeks duration. All staff, mostly voluntarian, is Shipibo-Conibo. There are eight instructors doing most of the work in the field, among them traditional midwifes and medicine-men. The main changes of AMETRA during the last decade involved the enrollment of more women and a more active role of the traditionalmedicine-men. By Ayahuasca sessions these shamans try to find help in diagnosing difficult or culturally cases, and to receive guidance for propertreatments.'
What can you say about AMETRA's relation to Western medicine?
'AMETRA emphasizes the use of local plant resources but it accepts, like villagers in general, Western medicine for many conditions. In recent years AMETRA is trying to decentralize todiminish costs and to emphasize the local responsibilities for maintaining and achieving health. Therefore, the headquarters in YarinaCocha will certainly play a minor role in future. During all these years there has often been some coordination with hospitals or health stations of the Ministry of Health. However, in remote Shipibo-Conibo villages health support is only given by AMETRA or by...