Closure of the Atacames Covid-19 Respiratory Care Center

The Atacames Covid-19 Center remained open for one year, providing warm and high-quality care to 900 patients who required intermediate medical attention due to contracting Covid-19. Due to a lack of interinstitutional agreements and economic resources to continue operating at high quality standards, Fundación Raíz Ecuador – Caemba decided to close its doors.

Initially, operations were planned to continue until December 2020; however, thanks to the Ministry of Public Health and the Lions Club, which provided the site where the center operated, its operation was extended until July 2021. Due to the high operational costs required to maintain a medical center of this nature and to avoid reducing care protocols, the center remained operational until the third week of July 2021.

Maritza Orellana, a field technician at Caemba, stated, «The Covid Center helped recover 900 people, with two deaths occurring among those who arrived in critical condition.» She also said, «Caemba provided care with a lot of love and respect for the citizens of Atacames and for everyone who was treated at the center.»

Interior of the Covid-19 Center in Atacames

Reuse of materials and medical equipment

Caemba plans to donate the main infrastructure of the bamboo Covid center to the addiction rehabilitation center in the Paz y Progreso sector in Tonsupa. «They need a space there to carry out therapy sessions and rehabilitation talks,» said Maritza Orellana.

The assembly and disassembly of bamboo structures are very simple. This allows for their reuse in other infrastructures.

Regarding the use of beds and other medical supplies, these will be taken to the hospital in the Muisne canton, south of Esmeraldas. Other high-tech equipment used for intermediate and intensive therapy has been transferred to the binational Franklin Tello Hospital in Nuevo Rocafuerte, Aguarico canton, Orellana province. There, the new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) will be equipped.

Another part of the laboratory equipment will be delivered to the S.I.S.A. Foundation, an organization that promotes health and is led by the Raíz Ecuador – Caemba Foundation. The equipment will be used by various local doctors who will work in a community laboratory located in the former municipal patronage facilities of Atacames.

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Statement

Fundación Raíz is dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), working with indigenous, Afro-Ecuadorian, Montubio, and Mestizo groups across Ecuador.

Our projects support various communities: Sionas, Siekopai, Kofan, Chachi, Kechwa, Waorani and Shuar, covering six linguistic families.

Our CAEMBA housing initiative focuses on the Afro-Ecuadorian and Montubio populations in Esmeraldas, addressing challenges of poverty and high crime rates. We commit to equitable treatment, opportunities for all, and the elimination of barriers to participation.

By valuing every voice and fostering community resilience, we aim to create a more inclusive, equitable society.

Our leadership is committed to DEI principles, ensuring our efforts reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and contribute to sustainable development and social justice.

DECLARACIÓN DE DIVERSIDAD, EQUIDAD E INCLUSIÓN

Fundación Raíz está dedicada a la diversidad, equidad e inclusión (DEI), trabajando con grupos indígenas, afroecuatorianos, montubios y mestizos en todo Ecuador.

Nuestros proyectos apoyan a varias comunidades, Sionas, Siekopai, Kofan, Chachi, Kechwa, Waorani y Shuar, cubriendo seis familias lingüísticas. Nuestra iniciativa de vivienda CAEMBA se centra en las poblaciones afroecuatorianas y montubias en Esmeraldas, abordando desafíos de pobreza y altas tasas de criminalidad.

Nos comprometemos a un trato equitativo, oportunidades para todos y la eliminación de barreras para la participación. Valorando cada voz y fomentando la resiliencia comunitaria, aspiramos a crear una sociedad más inclusiva y equitativa.

Nuestro liderazgo está comprometido con los principios de DEI, asegurando que nuestros esfuerzos reflejen la diversidad de las comunidades que servimos y contribuyan al desarrollo sostenible y la justicia social.