Who We Are // GlobeMed at Loyola

Founded in 2008, GlobeMed at Loyola University Chicago is one of 50 GlobeMed chapters working to improve the health of people living in poverty around the world. This year, GlobeMed at Loyola began working with an Ecuadorian health organization called Jambi Huasi to support their efforts in improving primary healthcare services mainly for the indigenous people through an intercultural model of health.

Our Partner // Fundación de Medicina Alternativa Jambi Huasi, Area de Salud de la FICI. (Federación Indígena y Capesina de Imbabura)

Jambi Huasi, meaning “House of Health” in Quichua, was founded in 1984 by an organization of indigenous people called FICI (Federación Indígena y Capesina de Imbabura) who were fighting for the right to health. Jambi Huasi is a primary care clinic offering both Western and traditional affordable medical care to the Ecuadorian people, especially the indigenous population. Their main clinic is located in Otavalo just north of the capital Quito in the Imbabura province. They also have begun outreach health programs to surrounding communities.

With this unique intercultural model of health, Jambi Huasi aims to eliminate health disparities that have been built over decades of discrimination against the indigenous population. They work by a motto of “Un pueblo sano es un pueblo libre” (A healthy people is a free people) and are eager to improve their services by partnering with GlobeMed at Loyola.

Our Project // $10,000 for a Maternal Healthcare and Service Expansion Program for Jambi Huasi’s Primary Care Clinic in Otavalo, Ecuador

With Jambi Huasi, we are implementing a two-part project: maternal healthcare and capacity building of the clinic. From October 2011-12, 30 midwives will attend a medical training program on topics like hygiene, birth complications and when to send pregnant women to a clinic. Midwives are essential to maternal care in Ecuador, often being the only health workers attending the birthing process. We also are expanding Jambi Huasi’s service capacity by subsidizing medicines and updating medical equipment. We aim to raise $10,000 to support this integrated program.