Jungle Hospital –
Dyer Rural Hospital
Honduras, Central America
Origin Story & Hospital Summary:
Jungle Hospital, officially known as Dyer Rural Hospital, was founded by Dr. Martin and Wendy Williams under the mentorship of Jack and Shirley Dyer. The Williams family began their ministry in 1994 near La Ceiba, Honduras, and after extensive training and medical education, they moved to Rio Viejo to fulfill the vision of building a hospital to serve the nearly 20,000 people in the surrounding mountains. The hospital was inaugurated in November 2007 and has since grown to serve over 35,000 patient consults. In 2015, it became certified as a Level II hospital, and in 2016, the Labor and Delivery Ward, as well as the Surgical and Recovery Wards, were dedicated.Dyer Rural Hospital, also known as Jungle Hospital, is a full-service facility providing 24-hour care, including outpatient consultations, inpatient services, general surgery, obstetrics, and emergency care. The hospital has expanded its facilities to include a dormitory for visiting teams and practitioners and offers a comprehensive healthcare model that includes both preventative and therapeutic measures. The hospital aims to bring health, hope, and healing to the people of the Cangrejal River Cove.
Technology & Capacity:
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Church and Governance:
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Training Opportunities:
The hospital offers significant opportunities for healthcare professional students and volunteers to participate in its activities, providing roles and responsibilities proportionate to their skills under full supervision. The hospital's approach includes training local Christian physicians and health professionals, thereby building local capacity and ensuring sustainable healthcare solutions.
Medical and Support Staff Needs:
Registered Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Physicians (all specialties)
Physician’s Assistants
Dental Hygienists
Pharmacy Technicians
Laboratory Technicians
Language:
Spanish is the official language in Honduras, and intermediate to fluent proficiency in Spanish is required for volunteers. Interpreters are not always available, so volunteers must be able to communicate independently.
Housing & Food:
Volunteers are housed in G-Flat Volunteer Housing, which includes four apartments with bathrooms, kitchens, and small living areas. For short-term teams, there is a dormitory with separate bunk rooms for men and women, a dining room, and a kitchen. Meals are provided for volunteers serving up to one month. Those serving longer will need to purchase groceries and prepare their own meals, with an estimated cost of $50 per adult per week.
Travel:
Visitors typically fly into Roatan and either take a ferry or a short flight to La Ceiba, followed by a drive to the hospital. The hospital staff can assist with travel arrangements and provide recommendations for accommodations if an overnight stay in La Ceiba is necessary. The drive from La Ceiba to Rio Viejo takes approximately one hour along a rural dirt road.
Time Difference:
-2 hours daylight saving time, -1 hour Eastern Standard Time. Honduras is in the Central Time Zone but does not observe daylight saving time.
People and Local Religion:
The population served by Jungle Hospital is predominantly Roman Catholic (95%), though many have limited knowledge of their faith's basic tenets. The region includes various indigenous groups such as the Miskito, Xicaques, and Torrupan, who face significant isolation and healthcare challenges.
Climate:
Honduras has a hot and humid climate, with cooler evenings and higher elevations. Volunteers should bring a light jacket for evenings. The rainy season runs from November through February, while March and April are the coolest months, and June through September are the hottest.
Unique Challenges:
The hospital addresses a range of health issues common to the region, including malaria, dengue, tuberculosis, pneumonia, dysentery, fractures, gunshot wounds, intestinal parasites, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, malnutrition, pregnancy-related concerns, and a growing HIV crisis. The comprehensive healthcare model includes community-based initiatives such as medical and dental brigades, dietary and hygiene education, and development projects.
Evangelism Opportunities:
Jungle Hospital integrates medical care with spiritual outreach, sharing the message of Christ while providing holistic healthcare. The hospital welcomes long-term and short-term volunteers, encouraging financial and prayer support to sustain its mission.
For more information or to volunteer, please visit Jungle Hospital.