In September 2009, Natalia Mayna Cariajano, a girl from the Sabaloyacu community, contracted a dangerous disease. Guillermo Vilogron, a Talisman employee and supervisor in the base camp, alerted Talisman to the fragile health of seven-year-old Natalia – more than 80 per cent or her right arm showed visual evidence of a severe infection.

Talisman stepped into action and sent specialized medical personnel to the community of Siwin, located an hour and a half away from Talisman’s Naranjal Base in the Loreto region. With the help of Siwin’s community leader, we transferred Natalia to the Naranjal Base for a more complete evaluation.

Talisman’s team of doctors and specialists started a race against time to determine the cause of the infection on Natalia’s arm. After exhaustive tests, Natalia was sent to the Iquitos Support Hospital where she was diagnosed with burin ulcers. Natalia was given special anti-tuberculosis treatment to combat her serious condition.

By 2011, Natalia had recovered from the infection and her overall health had improved. Talisman remains committed to helping Natalia recover.