Innovative telemedicine system presented with FUNDAMYF in Riobamba

(Riobamba, September 30, 2009).- In the auditorium of the Chimborazo Provincial Council, CAF and FUNDAMYF (Andean Family and Women's Fund) today launched the Telemedicine Project, following the first launch in the city of Latacunga, Cotopaxi province, on September 11 this year. During the ceremony, FUNDAMYF signed a cooperation agreement with the Chimborazo Health Council under which Social Insurance, which incorporates the council, will implement a medical specialists network to handle teleconsultations from the health units.

The ceremony took place with the presence of Mariano Curicama, prefect of Chimborazo and president of the Provincial Health Council; Juan Salazar, Mayor of Riobamba; and María Eugenia Lima, director of FUNDAMYF. CAF was represented by José Carrera, vice president of social and environmental development; Rafael Fuentes; coordinator of the information technology and communication agenda; and Constanza Calderón.

The telemedicine system implemented in the two provinces will benefit over 5,000 families from rural areas. The innovative system consists of training campesino women as health promoters who will use information and communication technology (ICT) to channel diagnosis, treatment and control of illnesses to a network of specialists.

The system will directly treat the rural population of Chimborazo and Cotopaxi provinces, giving them access to specialized medical attention because of the shortage of medical specialists in small and medium-sized provinces. The system will also optimize human resources because in simple cases patients can be treated without the need to travel to a medical center, which substantially lowers costs. Under the system treatment and operations will be free of charge for patients. The cost of the system will be funded by the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute, Campesino Social Insurance, the Chimborazo Provincial Health Department, among others.

José Carrera, CAF vice president of social and environmental development, said that CAF is firmly committed to supporting innovative projects which generate basic capacities in underprivileged communities. The telemedicine system is a perfect example since it expands real opportunities for the progress of its users, and develops community organization and the training of human capital."

María Eugenia Lima, director of FUNDAMYF, said, "the telemedicine system expands the spectrum of access to health, while having an impact on reducing mortality in cases where specialized medical attention is not available."

The telemedicine system treats an average of 22 patients a week in Riobamba and 15 patients in the city of Latacunga.

FUNDAMYF Fundamyf is an organization which works to establish a sustainable development model in favor of promoting new and equitable relations in gender, ethnic and generational groups, seeking equity in the difference. Fundamyf works with the most vulnerable social sectors such as women and ethnic groups in the three regions of the country. For more information visit the webpage www.fundamyf.org