MEDICAL SOCIETY AIDS CHILDREN WITH MALFORMATIONS

Free Surgeries at the Military Hospital

QUITO -- All this week at the Military Hospital, one hundred surgical interventions treating malformations will be administered free of charge to people from 3 months to 17 years of age.

Two tears ago, the Pan-American Medical Society (PAMS) visited the country with the goal of treating a variety of malformations in children and young people. Today they return to continue this social service through the treatment of approximately 80 patients. The Instituto Nacional de la Ninez y la Familia (INNFA) is working to promote this medical service for children around the country.

The American Foundation Pan American Medical Society (PAMS) together with specialists from the Military Hospital, will be heading this operation. The Director of the Military Hospital, Dr. Arturo Alvarez, agreed to donate the facilities to ensure the success of this surgical mission. The hospital is contributing four operating rooms along with the personnel needed to care for the patients receiving interventions.

PRE-SELECTION

The pre-selection of patients took place on Sunday. Doctors took into consideration the gravity of each case as well as the children's financial circumstances. The first 20 of these selected surgical interventions took place yesterday morning.

The beneficiaries of this service are brought through INNFA as well as the Military Hospital. The INNFA constituents traveled from different provinces throughout the country to receive their treatment. Ximena Bohorquez, President of INFFA, stated that the institution will assume the financial burden for surgery patients and their accompanying relatives. These expenses include round-trip transport, lodging, food, pre- and post-surgical examinations and medication. Likewise, the Military Hospital will assume all expenses for its participating staff.

For his part, the director of the Pan-American Medical Society, Dr. Bill Chester, cited his satisfaction in coming to the aid of people with scarce economic resources who suffer from deformities. To facilitate these interventions, he assembled a volunteer team of 22 people, including anesthesiologists, surgeons and nurses.

WILL OPERATE ON A CHILD FOUND LIVING IN A CAVE

Among the beneficiaries of these operations is Alex Caranqui, a boy from Licto in the province of Riobamba. INNFA found him one month ago with his hands and feet tied, living in a cave approximately 1.5 metres in size. He lived with his ailing grandparents and a handicapped cousin.

Alexsuffers from epilepsy and mental retardation. As part of his medical treatment, his left tendon will be enlarged so that he may walk without difficulty. For the present, Alex will remain in the care of INNFA. He has no parents but receives the love of every volunteer who cares for him.

OPERATIONS PERFORMED

Lip and Palate Deformations, Malformations of Extremities