During the week of March 15th to 19th, 2021, three patients who had been suffering from the disease caused by the coronavirus received medical discharge from the Covid Respiratory Care Center in Atacames. This center was built by CAEMBA and delivered in July 2020.
One of the patients, L.S., gave his testimony about the care received during his stay at the Covid Center (15 days):
«Today, I reaffirm the congratulations that I expressed before and was completely right. This center is a blessing for the people of Atacames. A hug to all those who make possible the functioning of this CAEMBA Covid Center. I am grateful to the foundation, administrators, and volunteers. I am sure that there are many of us who will be willing to collaborate in whatever way we can so that centers like these continue to operate for the benefit of the people of Atacames.
I feel like writing letters and telling the world how lives are being saved, to say that a better world is possible, one that is supportive, silent, sacrificial, humane, organized, and articulated. I am simply delighted to witness, to have been part of seeing how everyone acts. That articulation with the Ministry of Health. The healthcare professionals, how human! Assistants, cleaning staff, Mrs. Letty and Mrs. China are pure love and dedication. You, in the administrative part, the most difficult, always made sure there was oxygen and that everything was ready.
In short, at the time when I heard about the inauguration of this work, I said to a friend: this is what we need to face what is coming. Now I say, this is a miracle for Atacames. And I’m not saying this out of the excitement of the moment. We need more of these actions. Dear Maritza, I am at your service for whatever you need. A human, fraternal, and supportive hug to all those who make possible the miracle of saving lives through the CAEMBA Covid Center in Atacames. God is powerful,» said L.S. to the CAEMBA field staff, who was hospitalized for 15 days.
On the other hand, on Thursday, March 18th, two patients were discharged. The first was P.C., who was hospitalized for 18 days. He now has a favorable clinical evolution. The second discharge of the day was the patient M.F., after being hospitalized for 9 days. Both fought against the disease and won.
One of the patients upon leaving the Covid Center on March 18, 2021.
Comprehensive Covid Respiratory Care Center
Fundación Raíz Ecuador, our CAEMBA project, and the financing from the «Por Todos» trust, led by the Quito businessman Roque Sevilla, made possible the construction of the Covid Respiratory Care Center in Atacames. The total investment until July 9th was USD 102,489.
This is a primary hospital care center with capacity for intermediate care. It has six beds equipped with oxygen and two type 1 hospital beds with five positions, for patients in a more severe condition. These two beds will operate with high-flow ventilation systems, which have given excellent results in various intensive care units and also do not require specialized medical personnel. This procedure does not involve intubation.
In the weeks following the first round of presidential elections on February 7th and the Carnival holiday, between February 13th and 16th, 2021, there was a peak in infections in Atacames. At that time, for the first time since the Covid Center became operational, all eight beds were occupied.
