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.

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.

Operation Esperanza will serve January 31 – February 13, 2025. We will be doing adult hip replacement surgeries. There will be no pediatric or dental team this year.

READ ABOUT how the 2019 trip touched lives in Ecuador and the impact on the team members HERE

If you are interested in joining a trip, please contact the office.

PLEASE NOTE: 

All volunteers interested in overseas opportunities are advised to carefully read their medical insurance coverage paying special attention to clauses related to COVID-19 and pandemics. They are expected to have the physical and mental health to cope with the conditions in the host country. If in doubt, we advise a consultation with a personal physician for a health assessment.

Contact EMAS Office  BEFORE applying if you are concerned that your insurance cover is inadequate for service. All applications must be received at the latest 8 weeks to the date of departure.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

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