Ecuador Volunteering-Health-Children's Hospital Baca Ortiz

Description

Hospital Baca Ortiz is one of the biggest childrens' hospitals in Ecuador and provides emergency as well as long-term care for Ecuadorian boys and girls. The mission of this hospital is to provide children from all over Ecuador with excellent health care and to provide a happy environment for children who are sick.
Although the hospital is state-funded, it does not have enough funds to cover patient care, and therefore even the poorest families are charged for their medical treatment. The hospital's major units include a cancer care ward, a trauma ward, a burn unit, cardiology and repiratory units, intensive care for new borns, infants and older children, and out-patient care among many others.
Children's Hospital Baca Ortiz, was founded on July 14 1948, which means they have been saving the lives of children for over 60 years and as a result have become recognized as a National Specialized Children's Hospital.
According to recent statistics approximately 140,000 children from all over the country are treated each year in the various departments of the Hospital.

Why does this organization need volunteers?

Patients arrive from all over Ecuador, especially from isolated, poorer areas (as this is a government funded facility) and there is a lack of funding plus personnel to take care of all of the needs of the children. For this reason volunteers are greatly appreciated in the work they do and the element of hope and care they add to the atmosphere in the hospital.

What tasks will you be required to fulfil?

Volunteers are needed to help with tasks according to their certifications and abilities. General volunteers that want to help out in the hospital will be placed where there is the most need. Tasks include visiting patients, filling out charts, distributing supplies,general baby care(changing diapers), and helping with the daily routine of the permanant volunteers in the hospital....Volunteers are kept very busy and are greatly valued!
Volunteers who have more specialized skills or training are welcome to request to work in a unit of the hospital according to their qualifications and abilities. These requests the hosptial will try to fulfill when and/or if appropriate at that time.

Requirements:
Children's Hospital Baca Ortiz expects its health and medical volunteers to have some medical experience or knowledge. The more knowledge and experience that you have the more likely you will be accepted into their volunteer program.

Requirements

Language

English

Upon arrival in country our staff will pick you up at the airport and return you to our Orientation Center for a safety briefing and general country orientation. For this program you are required to complete one - 4 weeks of language training and orientation which is included in the cost of the program. At the end of that week you will transfer to your placement to begin volunteering. Our staff are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week should you require help of any kind.