Description

Program formerly known as "Vector-borne Diseases in the Ecuadorian Amazon."

About 40% of Latin America's population lives in areas where Malaria is still a risk. Considered eliminated in the 1970's in many countries, Malaria and other vector-borne disease are re-emerging in South America. Join in the effort to eradicate these diseases by participating in the Malaria Control Services (SNEM Zone II), which operates in the Napo and Pastaza provinces in the Ecuadorian Amazon. SNEM is a public institution that is in charge of preventing and controlling vector-borne diseases such as Chagas, Dengue, Malaria, Leishmaniasis and Yellow Fever. Dr. Wilfrido Torres, the Medical Director of the program, works as an epidemiologist at SNEM.

The emphasis of this program is to expose students to tropical diseases such as malaria, dengue, leptospirosis, intestinal parasites, and other vector-borne diseases in Quito and Puyo, giving participants an incredible opportunity to see the effects of these diseases in both rural and urban Ecuadorian communities.

This program begins with 2 weeks in Quito, where participants will be given an orientation to Ecuadorian culture and program logistics in the capital city of Quito. In this program participants will also take 20 hours of Spanish language classes and participate in a variety of clinical rotations based mostly out of the Centro De Biomedicina CBM (Biomedical Center). For the remaining two weeks of the 4-week program, students will be based in Puyo, located in Pastaza Province Puyo is a small city with 28,000 inhabitants in the jungle about 6 hours by bus from Quito. While in Puyo, participants will participate in various activities and site visits to learn about the prevention and treatment of tropical diseases in Ecuador.

Participants will be exposed and participate in activities conducted by SNEM, mainly Malaria, Dengue and Chagas control in urban as well as rural areas. Participants will be exposed to the following aspects of vector prevention/control:

* Epidemiological surveillance: Early diagnosis and treatment
* Entomological vector control: Capture and identification of vectors, identification and control of breeding grounds
* Health promotion and prevention: Public health education and workshops for schoolchildren and general population in urban and rural areas
* Epidemiology: Identification and control of epidemic outbreaks, analysis and response to statistical information, program coordination

Highlights

Clinical and Public Health Rotations:
CFHI's rotations are designed to offer you clinical and observational experiences relevant to your level of medical education. The program includes the following educational aspects:

* Pre-trip orientation materials & web conference opportunities
* Orientation upon arrival, including cultural adjustment exercises
* Weekly meetings with Medical Director and Local Coordinator
* Clinical rotations Monday-Friday, excepting holidays or work stoppages, working with a local physician who has opted to participate in CFHI as a teaching preceptor
* Information sessions that highlight the health care system in that country, common cases you will encounter and other site-specific information
* Post-trip debrief materials & other on-going alumni activities/services

Qualifications

This program is open to those 20 and over who possess:

* Conversant Spanish
* Fluent Spanish

For those who are not completely confident with their language skills before participation in the program, we strongly recommend that you arrive at your program site early and pay extra for additional Spanish instruction before you begin the CFHI program. If you have Minimal Spanish skills and still wish to participate in the program, please call our office before applying.

This program is open to participants who are 20 or over at the time of participation.We accept students of all nationalities with interest in international health and relevant educational background. Participants may be any of the following:

* Medical Residents, MD & DO
* Medical Students, MD & DO 1-2
* Medical Students, MD & DO 3-4
* Pre-Medical Students
* Post-bacc pre-medical students
* Gap year pre-medical students
* Graduate nursing students
* Nursing Students
* MPH Students
* Physicians Assistants Students
* Naturopathic students

If you do not fit into one of these categories, please contact us to see if you would be eligible to apply.

Intern Types

• Medicine
• Nursing
• Health Sciences

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

Approx. 2,500 for 4 weeks

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials pre-departure

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Community Health
• Health
• Health Care
• Health Education
• Medicine
• Nursing

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Scholarships are Available

As available-- see CFHI website.

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 week

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Child Family Health International's Mission Statement

Child Family Health International (CFHI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that conducts socially responsible global health service-learning programs for medical, pre-medical, nursing, PA, MPH, and other health science students. CFHI's 20+ programs in 5 countries connect students with local health professionals -transforming perspectives about self, global health and healing. CFHI supports local communities worldwide through these global health education programs, medical supply donations, as well as other community initiatives. CFHI is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the ECOSOC of the United Nations.

Year Founded

1992