Q4 24+3

Otavalo Clinics and Hospitals

On Monday we visited a clinic in Otavalo named Jambi Huasi which practices traditional medicine. We met with the director of the clinic and saw a video about the clinic. After the video we got to meet all of the different people that work at the clinic. There is a Fregadora who specialized in massages with special ointments that she makes with medicinal plants. She uses them for arthritis and sprains and strains. Then we met with a midwife who sees patients for prenatal care in the clinic and then goes to the patients homes for the deliveries. The most interesting person was the Yachac who is like a shaman, but here the people believe that Yachac´s are wiser. When he sees his patients, he does a cleansing ceremony with a guinea pig. They believe that the guinea pig absorbs all the bad energies from the patient and then you can dissect the guinea pig and find out what illness the patient has depending on what organ system is affecting in the guinea pig. Apparently, guinea pigs have been here since before the Incas and they are used in many ways, including as a delicacy which is called cuy- an entire cooked guinea pig. The Yachac also does ceremonies with medicinal plants and herbs and everything that he uses is natural and he picks it himself.

Rachel, in answer to your questions, I don´t know that I am necessarily learning something that I can apply in my treatment of patients. But I am learning what the traditions and cultures are and how the people here take it very seriously. So, I need to learn how to be able to respect their beliefs and also teach them about how Western medicine can complement their traditional medicine.

After the clinic, we went to San Luis Hospital de Otavalo and had a tour. The conditions are pretty poor and currently the doctors are on strike for higher wages. They strike from 8 to Noon on Monday and keep adding an hour every day to the strike. This is pretty common. The resources are scarce and they even recycle their gloves. We saw them hanging everywhere. I don´t quite know how they are sterilized without being melted, but then they hang them to dry. They have cots for beds and the paint is peeling off the walls. The other terrible thing is that with the strike, patients can be waiting all day to be seen and not even get seen and be sent home to come back the next day. Medical care here is on a first come first serve basis, so if there is not enough time for you to be seen your stuck waiting until the next day. The experience made me realize how fortunate we are in the US and also that I would really like to do more to help, I just don´t yet know how.

On Tuesday, we had the day off. We organized a tour to go on a 2 hour hike up a mountain where on a lear day you can see 3 lakes and 10 volcanoes. I didn´t think it would be too tough to do. So, our tour guides drove us to Lagunas de Mojanda. But, then we climbed about 1500 feet to the very top of the mountain and most of the climb was at least at a 45 degree angle! It was tough. For some parts I pretty much crawled and had to use my hands to pull myself up. On our way up we saw a herd of wild bulls and from the top we were able to see 2 of the lakes pretty well, but then the clouds rolled in. It was still amazing to sit at the top of the mountain eating lunch and being surrounded by clouds. Our hike down also included some rock climbing. On our way down the sky cleared up and we had gorgeous views of beautiful rolling green valleys. We also saw a few eagles flying around us. I definately felt like it was a great accomplishment to climb this mountain and see so much wonderful nature!

Today, Wednesday, we are all working on different research projects about Ecuador. My groups project is to talk about the health systems in Ecuador. Tonight we have more spanish classes and conferences and after that we are going to visit a Yachac to see an actual cleansing ceremony. Two people in our group have to volunteer to have a ceremony performed on them. It should be pretty interesting. I´ll try to take some pictures of that too!

Posted by at February 11, 2004 12:37 PM