Ecuador has one of the lowest incomes per capita in Latin America. It is estimated that 20 to 30 percent of Ecuador’s population lack immediate access to healthcare; 70 percent do not have health insurance.

Over the  years, the EMAS Ecuador team, called Operation Esperanza, has completed hundreds of orthopaedic surgeries. They provide new hips and knee joints for those who could otherwise not afford them: the average cost of a hip or knee prosthesis is $2,000, while the average salary in Ecuador is less than $200 a month. The team also corrects club feet, addresses orthopaedic problems, and trains national surgeons. A dental team now accompanies them, conducting clinics and teaching school children about oral health.

Most trips include at least eight surgeons on the team, plus all the nursing staff. The team will be returning to the same region of Ecuador as in previous years.

The Dental team is going early from Feb 3 -11th, and the Surgical Team will serve from Feb 6th -16th, 2018

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact the Team Leader for this mission, Dr. Tom Greidanus.
Learn more about Operation Esperanza
Read about a Veteran Nurse’s reflections