Portoviejo's Hospital

Maternity ward of Portoviejo provincial Hospital

June 18, 2002
John, Mike and Jocelyn

Our first day in Portoviejo was just as the other first days, filled with immediate reactions.  Upon reaching the first hospital, we were instructed by the voice over the hand-held radio to stay in a group.  The usual instruction suddenly held more weight.  Just outside our locked door stood a group of young men.  The one in the middle of the small huddle was proudly displaying fresh stitches and clean bandages.  Street scars streaked his flanks.  He smiled, with pride; the others looked on with admiration, near piety. 

  The hospital was dirty.  Few words can capture the conditions better.  A constant crowd floated in the entry way as we were ushered in by safe hands and quick translation.  Our tour began.  Just like the other hospitals, the conditions were deplorable.  Flies landed on sick children.  Equipment remained broken in the corridors.  Three autoclaves were shown to us, two have never been used.  For ten years, the machines sat in storage.  We looked at the doctor-turned-guide with questions and concerns.  He brushed it off as standard practice. 

 
Carlos Moncayo, Provincial Manager of PLAN in Manabi, explains to the group his organization's goals, community educational programs.

We continued to look, to see, to vicariously experience.  Apparent sadness and anger crossed many of our faces, some cried.  The confusion was natural, the mix of reactions was necessary.  We left the hospital and continued on to a local health clinic.  Like the hospital, it was lacking. Conversely, it was growing.  Aside from the two-year-old, unused ambulance, the clinic was filled with hope.  Dr. Vega allowed us to see the potential in the small cement edifice – and he smiled, excited to teach us, even more excited to learn from us. 

Group meets with Manabi Province's public health officials

  The day of exploring ended after a lunch of seafood stew (Named “Viagra” by the restaurant owner) in the air-conditioned office of PLAN International.  This non-profit organization looks to the future generations of developing countries using the generosity of foreigners.  Cross-cultural exchanges allow for the empowerment of communities through the means of children.  The powerpoint presentation did its best to provide the essentials, and questions filled in the blanks.  Chilled, we left knowing the need for such groups and wondering how we fit into the grand scheme of international NGOs.  We got pens, too – and little PLAN pins.