Medical Teams Ease Pain in Ecuador

Once again, I joined fellow members of HSAA as we packed our bags for 11th Canadian Association of Medical Teams Abroad (CAMTA) mission to Quito, Ecuador.

CAMTA travelled to the Tierra Nueva Foundation’s Hospital Padre’ Carollo to provide orthopedic surgery for Ecuador’s impoverished citizens.

Not only does CAMTA’s care allow children to walk and adults to live pain free, but improved mobility breaks the cycle of poverty as our patients are able to pursue better employment opportunities.

The allied health-care members from HSAA include physiotherapists and respiratory therapists. We join registered nurses, family physicians, anesthesiologists, orthopedic surgeons and residents, students, Spanish language translators, and non-medical team members on this annual mission. The team is made up of members from all over the world, but primarily from Alberta and the Edmonton region.

As a Respiratory Therapist supporting Anesthesia on this mission, I was able to transfer my NAIT education and experience in the operating room at the University of Alberta Hospital to provide hands-on care.

The experience is life changing and returns member of the CAMTA team to their core reasons for making a career in health care.

It was with great appreciation that CAMTA received a donation to support my pre-mission fundraising target.

I would like to thank HSAA for supporting members on endeavours such as this.