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Azogues
Azogues is the capital of the province of Cañar in Ecuador. The population of Azogues is 27,866.[http://www.citypopulation.de/Ecuador.html] Azogues is known for its Panama hat industry, which are produced primarily for export. (...)Top photos chosen by u all:
Clinic Day Patient Being Evaluated by Interplast Surgeons and Our Host Dr. Guillermo Quinde
Made by interplast
Hi, my name is Fran Cunniffe, trip logistics coordinator at Interplast. Although I help plan all of the surgical team trips, this is the first time I have had the opportunity to actually go on a trip as a coordinator/translator. Luckily I am part of a team consisting of many veterans of Interplast from all over the world - Nepal, New Zealand, Spain, Finland, Norway, Canada and the USA. Working in Azogues, Ecaudor has been quite an eye-opener already. As our host Dr. Guillermo Quinde explained, the health care system in Ecuador provides little help for the people who need it most. In addition to working at the Azogues hospital and teaching medical classes at the Catholic University of Cuenca, he works part-time for a foundation that provides surgeries to needy patients at half the price. But even that is too expensive for many people with little economic resources so they are unable to obtain the medical care they so desperately need. Dr. Quinde values his association with Interplast, especially because he is able to refer the neediest patients to Interplast. We have seen approximately 160 patients at our clinic today, and many came because he personally referred them to us. One little girl came to clinic with her mother and brother, and we discovered that she was operated on by Interplast a few years ago for her cleft lip. She was now hoping her younger brother would have the same life-changing surgery as she had. I love being the translator when I tell patients that they have been approved for surgery, but it is so difficult and upsetting when I have to tell them to come back next year if the child is too young or unhealthy. That is when I wish the surgeons spoke Spanish!
Fred, Joe and Jan
Made by interplast
Dr. Fred Mihm is the only member of the team you haven´t met yet. He´s another anesthesiologist on the team. All of Azogues has met Fred, as he´s had his picture in the local paper twice now. We joke that he´s a local celebrity, and will have to start signing autographs any minute. In this photo, he is bringing a patient out of anesthesia after surgery while Joe and Jan observe. The trickiest times for anesthesiologists are putting the patient under, and then bringing them out. But during surgery it is essential that the surgeon communicate well with the anesthesiologist. Any medication administered by the surgeon can have an effect that the anesthesiologist must deal with. In addition, if there are any post-operative problems, it is usually the anesthesiologist who handles them. For these reasons and more, Interplast always sends one more anesthesiologist than surgeons, so there will always be one who can be available in the recovery room, or to assist in the operating room, should any problems arise.
Margarita and Dr. Quinde
Made by interplast
Another member of the team you haven´t met yet is Maggie Loya, affectionately known here as Margarita. She is pictured here with our host, Dr. Quinde—and I think this is the first time you´ve actually seen his face! Maggie is incredible. She is the team leader, and I can´t believe all the details she has to juggle. In addition to making sure that all goes smoothly in the OR, Maggie also has to make sure the team gets fed and has transportation when necessary. She procures medications if we need something beyond what we brought with us. She works with the hospital administration, the hotel personnel, and many others. Talk about detail, she even makes sure the team has adequate drinking water! And all of it with the most pleasant good humor.
Doctorita Elsa With Jessica
Made by interplast
It is so hard to believe that we are leaving tomorrow. It seems like we have been here much longer than we actually have, mostly due to the warm hospitality the people of Azogues and the hospital staff have shown us. This morning, while the surgeons operated, pediatrician Dr. Else Uglum and I did rounds and discharged most of our remaining patients. Here is a picture of Else getting ready to discharge Jessica, an 11 year-old burn patient that we both found to be absolutely adorable. Jessica was so excited about her surgery that she followed us around the entire day with a big smile on her face (I think to make sure we didn’t forget about her)!
Interplast Drs. Quinde, Afridi, and Rai
Made by interplast
This evening we hosted a dinner for the hospital to show our gratitude for their continued support of Interplast. Dr. Nadia Afridi - our Interplast Webster Fellow, plastic surgeon, team leader, and fabulous roommate by the way - gave a speech and presented certificates, Interplast pens and lanyards to everyone who helped us over the past two weeks. It was a very nice way to end our stay in Azogues. Here is a photo of Nadia with our host Dr. Guillermo Quinde and Dr. Shankar Rai.
Ecuador: Huaquillas, Cuenca, Riobamba
The road from Huaquillas to Quito with the cities Cuenca and Riobamba...Ecuador Huaquillas Santa Isabella Cuenca Azogues Riobamba fash28
Ecuador, life at its purest!! - The Andes (in English)
Quito, Tungurahua Ambato, Cotopaxi Latacunga, Chimborazo Riobamba, Bolivar Guaranda, Canar Azogues, Azuay Cuenca, Loja Loja....ecuador andes sierra mountains cotopaxi
El Piggy de regreso a New York ... From Gualaceo
en Gualaceo con mi familia, hoy 8 de Septiembre del 2007 estoy de regreso a New York....Gualaceo Ecuador Cuenca Azuay Paute Chordeleg Azogues
Nearest places of interest:
| Cuenca Giron Andoas Chachapoyas | Alausi Riobamba Cañar Isla Santay |
Popular places:
|
Guayaquil Quito Cuenca Riobamba |
Loja Durán Otavalo Baños |
