Machala, a city of 260,000 in El Oro Province, Ecuador is located in the southwestern portion of the country and adjoins Peru. Machala is the largest city in the province and a referral point for healthcare in the region, included Peru. The closest large city, Guayaquil, is about 300km and 3 -4 hours by road transportation. The Teofilo Davila Hospital is the principal public facility in the region.
The project proposes to provide specialized medical equipment for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. In 2011, there were 3,143 babies born at the hospital of which 1,492 were classified as high risk. (complicated pregnancy, caesarian, premature births, etc.) In the same year, 561 were admitted to the NICU. This number included 70 referred from other hospitals and cities. The mortality rate in the unit is 7.1 percent. With this volume of patients and their special needs, additional and new equipment is needed in two areas - Neonatal respirators to assist breathing and LED lighting for treatment of jaundice.
In 2011, 169 newborns required respiratory help but only 84 could be treated with the others having to be transferred to Guayaquil. With the addition of an third respiratory unit, 50% of the need will met.
In the same year, 350 babies required light therapy. Only 44 could be treated. With the addition of five LED light therapy units all babies requiring this service will accommodated locally.
The hospital will provide the professional nursing staff to operated the equipment under the direction of four neonatologists. Maintenance and servicing will be provided by the hospital and supplier.
In summary, the grant provides for one Newborn Respiratory unit at US$ 27,972 and five LED Therapy Lamps at US$ 2,240 for a total cost of US$ 39,172
With the approval of the project by October 31, 2013 the project can be completed by February 28, 2014.
Completed
This project is "Completed". This means the project has been implemented and the report was accepted by The Rotary Foundation. The project will stay listed on this website as a testimony of the achievements of the project partners.
