The rural hospital in Ecuador.
Over a period of twelve years, the author's vision of improving the health of rural Ecuadorians has evolved from an initial emphasis on primary health care to secondary care. The local community convinced him of the critical need for an efficiently managed, high-quality, and affordable rural secondary care hospital. Exploring a variety of funding options, the hospital ultimately achieved financial sustainability, principally through Ecuadorian public sources. Now, in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health (MOH), the rural hospital model that evolved in Pedro Vicente Maldonado is being adapted as a pilot project in an existing MOH rural hospital.
Gaus
David P
DP
Andean Health and Development, Quito, Ecuador. dgaus@andinanet.net
D004484:Ecuador; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006780:Hospitals, Rural / Q000266:history / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D011203:Poverty; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011635:Public Health Administration; D014837:Voluntary Health Agencies / Q000266:history