In a recent Zoom call with Sister Marcela Cruz (Executive Director, Fundacion Tierra Nueva), Dr. Juan Carlos Panchi (Director of Health Systems, Fundacion Tierra Nueva) and Brigade Leader Dr. Patricia Jarrin, our friends in Quito expressed their deep gratitude to CAMTA's donors for their generosity.
Marcela started by saying how hard it was at the beginning of COVID. "We were in despair at that time, as we didn't have the money for equipment... We didn't have the physical area" to isolate COVID patients. There were no places to buy masks and gloves!
Juan Carlos said "we are very grateful for the equipment. For us, this alliance is very important because we feel your support in this crisis. With your support we doubled the capacity of the ICU." He stated that Ecuador is one of three South American countries that are opening up to tourism - expressing his hope that this trend would make it possible for CAMTA teams to return in 2022. Social workers are screening patients in anticipation of CAMTA's return.
Of course, we will only consider another Mission when it is safe for our team members to travel to Quito. Although 60% of staff at Hospital Padre Carollo have had two immunizations, the general population is only at 10%. CAMTA has to be confident that our volunteers can eat, sleep, travel and work as safely as possible before sending teams to Quito.
Patricia ended the call with a heartfelt message of gratitude to CAMTA and our donors. "We are so grateful and say thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to have new equipment - ventilators and monitors. We are so, so, so grateful.... We asked, and you responded... God bless everyone!"