Neurological Mission to Ecuador

The Napo Province in the Ecuadorian Amazon is a largely undeveloped region with a population of about 80,000, many of whom live in isolated villages in the rainforest and claim indigenous identity or speak an indigenous language. Although there is a high incidence of neurological disorders, including epilepsy, there are no neurologists; the nearest neurologists are 4-5 hours away, in Quito. Most of the inhabitants of Napo Province do not have the resources to travel to Quito for neurological care.

For the past 7 years, the Centro Internacional en Neurociencias has organized a mission of American and Ecuadoran specialists - including neurologists, pediatric neurologists, and neurosurgeons - who travel to Tena, the capital of Napo Province, to diagnose and treat neurological disorders including epilepsy, cerebral palsy, developmental delay, metabolic disorders, and neuromuscular disorders.

We have evaluated and treated over 1,500 patients, including many children, who would otherwise have no access to neurological care.

The mission has developed an ongoing collaboration with primary care practitioners and staff at the Hospital José Maria Velasco Ibarra in Tena so that local providers are better equipped to provide continuous care for our patients. The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) has recognized our work and would like to make it a model for other countries.

This fundraising campain will help support the travel of a pediatric neurologist to Tena to care for children with epilepsy, cerebral palsy, brain malformations, and other neurological disorders from July 25 to July 29, 2016. Indigenous families bring their children to Tena once a year from throughout the province for this opportunity to see specialists from the United States and Ecuador. Funds in excess of the goal amount will be used to support future missions. Your support is crucial!

Learn more about the Centro Internacional en Neurociencias and the Brigada Neurológica