Realities Of Medical Services In Cotacachi
- Ecuador medical options, emergency care providers and the level of medical services are not like the US or Canada and the scope of services vary, depending on the facility.
- Navigating the whole process can be complicated. Trying to find your way through the maze of regulation and cultural differences, totally unprepared in an emergency situation, can literally end in tragedy.
- There is no one number to call so that everything will be taken care of.
- When you call an ambulance, it does not always come immediately. In fact, it may not come at all. Don’t expect the fire department to be readily available with ambulance. The ambulance will take you to the closest hospital only, which will most likely be the Cotacachi Hospital. If you wish to go to Ibarra or Quito, call a taxi and do not call 911 for an ambulance.
- If you call 911 the drivers will automatically resuscitate.
- If you call 911 and you die, there will automatically be an autopsy unless you have a doctor who can sign off on the cause of death.
- The sooner you study your choices and put your plan in place, the more options you have, the less confusion you will experience and the more likely you’ll experience a better outcome.
- If you are the type of person who likes to go-it-alone and you do not have an emergency plan, there will likely be no one there to help you when you need it.
- While people may agree to be part of your well-thought-out emergency plan, most people will NOT be willing to help in a situation where NO preparations have been made beforehand.