Telemedicine system in Chimborazo and Cotopaxi

(Latacunga, July 7, 2011).- The Telemedicine system consists of training women as health promoters by means of information and communication technologies (ICT) for diagnosis, treatment and control of illnesses, adapted to their eco-epidemiological situation. In 2008 CAF - Latin American development bank - and the Fundamyf Foundation signed a non-reimbursable technical cooperation agreement for funds to facilitate implementation of this innovative system in Chimborazo and Cotopaxi provinces.

Krützfeldt Hermann, CAF director representative in Ecuador, said the multilateral institution "is committed to supporting innovative projects which are intended to create basic skills in disadvantaged communities. The telemedicine system is a perfect example because it expands the real opportunities for the progress of its users and promotes community organization and training of human capital."

FUNDAMYF President María Eugenia Lima said "the telemedicine system widens the spectrum of access to health, while having an impact on reducing mortality in cases of lack of specialized medical care." Today, thanks to telemedicine, over 5,000 families in rural areas are benefiting from access to specialized medical care. The human resources have also been optimized because in simple cases the system can offer treatment without moving the patient, which substantially lowers costs.

The project will benefit up to 15,000 women from the Randimpak project, which was financed by CAF and started in 2002 with the objective of empowering indigenous and campesino women.

The telemedicine system is attending an average of 22 patients a week in the city of Riobamba and 15 patients in Latacunga. The 50 promoters have received training in preventive health which they replicate in their communities. The training of the promoters was based on a systematic training plan, which provides each community with a trained person capable of providing support in dealing with health problems. Fundamyf is an organization which is working to find a sustainable development model which promotes new relations of gender, ethnic and generational equity based on differences. The Foundation works with the most vulnerable social groups such as women and ethnic groups in the three regions. For more information visit www.fundamyf.org.