Ecuador Volunteering-Social-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?

Because patients arrive from all over Ecuador, especially from isolated, poorer areas (as this is a government funded facility) there is a lack of funding and personnel to take care of all the children. For this reason volunteers are greatly appreciated for the work they do, as well as 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 qualifications and abilities. General volunteers without any training that want to help out in the hospital will be doing social visits to patients, placed where there is the most need. Tasks include visiting patients, filling out charts, restocking supplies, changing baby diapers, giving out meal tickets to family members and helping with the daily routine of the permanant volunteers in the hospital....Volunteers are kept very busy and are greatly valued!

Requirements:
Volunteers do not need to have any prior training for general social program volunteering in the hospital. Volunteers who are specialized in medicine or health will be placed according to their qualifications.

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.