AP PHOTOS: A rural doctor traverses mountainous terrain by donkey to visit far-flung patients

By RODRIGO ABD
Updated 11:25 AM CST, November 25, 2024

A rural doctor travels miles of unforgiving terrain by donkey, enduring cold, rain, wind and exhaustion, to visit several dozen families scattered across the highest mountain in the north of Argentina.

Dr. Jorge Fusaro has organized medical tours three times a year for the past four years across Cerro Chañi in Jujuy. Chañi is considered a sacred mountain by the indigenous Kolla people who live there. It has extreme temperatures, year-round snowy peaks, and is home to animals full of symbolism, like the puma and condor.

Fusaro is not only the only doctor many people see, sometimes he’s the only outsider. Doctors may be the only representatives of the state to reach this mountainous region.

There are no schools, police, or postal services. Fusaro not only treats residents and leaves enough medicine for their first-aid kits, he also helps them with bureaucratic paperwork, serves as a mail carrier for delivering important documents to relatives in the city, and organizes training sessions, among other tasks.

“Knowing that our medical work gave these communities a better life fills my heart. If we don’t go, no one will,” reflects the 38-year-old doctor. He’s worried that government cuts will make future trips impossible. He’s already had to cancel one trip due to lack of funding.

More:
https://apnews.com/article/argentina-rural-medicine-donkey-mountains-663f7a101b2f39add2be3436a411e077