Decreasing the Epilepsy Treatment Gap in the Developing World: The Epilepsy Medical Mission to the Amazon Rain Forest in Tena, Ecuador Report 2009-2012 (IN6-2.004)

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To report the results of the 4 years of our collaboration program. BACKGROUND: In the Ecuador-Amazon region, it is estimated that over 70% of patients with epilepsy do not receive appropriate treatment due to lack of access to neurological diagnosis and care. The city of Tena, located in the Napo-Province in the rural Amazon region of Ecuador, is 200 kilometers away from the nearest facility with neurological services. We introduced an epilepsy clinic in this region and created a system locally to sustain it. DESIGN/METHODS: We organized annual epilepsy clinics with a local team. Quarterly visits by a smaller team are accomplished with telemedicine. Local internists and pediatricians interested in the mission were trained and a consultation model was initiated with local practitioners from the local hospital. Since 2009, a multidisciplinary team examined patients in consultation with the staff of the …

Año de publicación:

2013

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Fuente:

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