Ken Cedeno

There are a multitude of indigenous communities tucked away along the Amazon river's edge in wood huts built above the water's high tide mark or just inland in the 1100 sub-tributaries. In 2011, the Brazilian government inaugurated the Basic Health Unit River (BFHU) system to provide primary care to those indigenous tribes.

In 2013, the BFHU launched the Igaracu, a two-story floating clinic outfitted with medical staff, dental and ex­am rooms, a pharmacy, and a kitchen. This clinic serves a small portion of the rivers vastness in only 44 communities of the Wood rivers above Madeirinha, Autaz-Açu and Autaz Mirin. The 80-foot transom bow travels roughly 20 days each trip, with about a month-long break to resupply and perform maintenance.