Medical Care in Ecuador

I'm sure many of you have read about the death of Peace Corps Volunteer Nick Castle in China last year. I can't comment on that case, but I can comment on the care Marguerite and I have received so far here.

Both of us have called on the medical staff here; Marguerite for several problems, and my experience has been primarily with my injured Achilles tendon. We also hear comments from others when they have problems, which nearly every one of us has had.

The care we have received has been first rate. We have two Ecuadorian doctors, and until last week we had an American nurse. They are responsive, understanding, competent, thorough, and entirely professional.

They also go to considerable lengths to train us how to prevent problems, and how to deal with them when we get them. Peace Corps takes our health very seriously.

Also, Marguerite has had the occasion to accompany a baby to a freestanding Peds clinic, and an adult to the nearest Emergency Department. Both facilities were clean and modern. In both circumstances, the protocols were the same that would be followed in the States. The only difference was they didn't have to wait as long.