Friends of the Mission Clinic of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Inc.

Background and mission

The Province of Zamora-Chinchipe in southeastern Ecuador is home to about 90,000 people, mostly indigenous Shuar, Saraguro or mixed heritage Indian/Spanish. They live in rural villages and some larger towns. The vast majority are subsistence farmers, miners, and small shopkeepers. The government has placed inadequately supplied and staffed health centers in the larger villages. The quality of care is variable and in general not the same standard available in the large urban centers. Most of the people do not have consistent access to quality medical providers.

The mission of the Clínica Misional “Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe" is to provide affordable, sustainable, quality health care to the impoverished indigenous people of southern Ecuador.

History

Founded in 2001 by ordained Catholic priest Father Georg Nigsch of Austria, the Mission Clinic is part of the social ministry of the Catholic Church of Zamora, Ecuador. Since the Clinic opened its doors on November 9, 2001, over 75,000 patients have been treated and more than 1,600 mostly outpatient surgeries have been performed, ranging from cataract to ear to hernia. Cleft palate repair was added to the offerings in 2010, transforming the lives of severely disfigured children. Many hundreds have been fitted with dental prostheses, hearing aids and eyeglasses. The medical and dental staff are volunteers from all over the world. The Clinic is almost entirely funded by donations.]

Over the years since its beginnings, the Clinic has developed into a modern facility with examining rooms, dental suites with x-ray, an air-conditioned operating theater, a pharmacy and a basic laboratory. Two Residence buildings have been built, with apartments for long-term volunteers and their families. In 2010 a high-output generator was installed, needed during power outages.

Current needs and challenges

Along with the growing demands of such an ambitious undertaking, the Clinic is facing new challenges. Recently imposed government regulations now limit the amount of foreign-donated supplies that can be imported, so that more drugs must be purchased locally. Many patients cannot afford medications for long-term treatment of high blood pressure, diabetes, and other serious conditions; the Clinic would like to be able to subsidize at least part of this cost. More dehumidified storage space is needed for supplies that deteriorate quickly in the warm humid climate. Equipment requires ongoing maintenance and repair. An automated chemical analyzer for lab testing and a new sterilizer for surgical instruments are needed.

Volunteering

Nearly 500 multi-faith medical and dental professionals from 16 countries have volunteered at the Clinic since it was opened, and more doctors and nurses, dentists and dental technicians are constantly being sought. Volunteers must hold a valid professional license in their own country, and must pay their own travel expenses. Comfortable room and board is provided. The Calendar of openings, guidelines and orientation, reports of previous volunteers, and a volunteer application are available on the Clinic webpage.