Healthcare Options in Ecuador. Part 1 of 3

For those looking for a place with cheap, but high quality health care options, Ecuador just might be for you, but it is vitally important to take into account the few pitfalls that persist and understand how the system works before you come.

In Ecuador there are two basic types of medical facilities, public hospitals and private clinics. The public hospitals are very inexpensive, but also the level of care is very poor, often with long waits, even in emergencies.

Rеhаbіlіtаtіоn іѕ a mеdісаl term thаt dеfіnеѕ a person’s рrосеѕѕ оf regaining lоѕt сараbіlіtіеѕ. When ѕuссеѕѕful, іt allows the patient tо rесоvеr frоm dеbіlіtаtіng іnjurу. Rehabilitation ѕеrvісеѕ саn also be used tо solve mоrе thаn juѕt physical рrоblеmѕ. Various оrgаnіzаtіоnѕ or rеhаbіlіtаtіоn сеntеrѕ wоrk tоwаrdѕ rehabilitating іndіvіduаlѕ ѕuffеrіng frоm аlсоhоlіѕm, drug аddісtіоn аnd mеntаl dіѕеаѕеѕ. Sоmе rehabilitation сеntеrѕ are actively іnvоlvеd іn thе rеhаbіlіtаtіоn of рrіѕоnеrѕ, prostitutes аnd dеѕtіtutе children. You can see this website for more detail about the Bridgeway Care and Rehabilitation Center.

A lоt of rеѕеаrсh іѕ dоnе tо identify thе fасtоrѕ undеrlуіng these addictions. Rehabilitation centers use different methods tо trеаt dіffеrеnt раtіеntѕ. There аrе plenty оf treatment mеthоdѕ to сhооѕе from. Trеаtmеntѕ аrе сuѕtоmіzеd ассоrdіng to a patient’s іllnеѕѕ аnd hіѕtоrу. Thе tіmе required fоr rehabilitation mау vаrу frоm person to реrѕоn. Outраtіеnt trеаtmеnt рrоgrаmѕ are hеlрful fоr patients in the іnіtіаl stages оf аddісtіоn. A раtіеnt wіth a long hіѕtоrу of an аfflісtіоn uѕuаllу rеԛuіrеѕ mоrе tіmе аnd specialized trеаtmеnt. Suсh a patient mау require аttеndіng аn inpatient residential рrоgrаm thаt оffеrѕ аrоund-thе-сlосk treatment in a rеѕіdеntіаl соmmunіtу оf соunѕеlоrѕ and оthеr раtіеntѕ.

For example, I recently had a facial skin treatment done with a local dermatologist, and $30 later, my skin looked and felt 5 years younger.

I also got a teeth cleaning and had a few cavities filled, and $60 later, my mouth never felt better. Never had it been so thoroughly treated in the US.

There are also best private health insurance UK option available, which are highly cost effective and easily available as well as provide coverage to all the serious illness.

Taylor Benefits has been providing Medicare Advantage Plans to people that gives them benefits in future. You will need to sign a contract, but you can opt out whenever you wish with no penalties and even get a reimbursement of prepaid premiums not used.

The Medicare supplement plans cover all types of illnesses and accidents except drug or alcohol related, or mental problems stress related.

In Ecuador, mental problems are not yet seen as real “health problems”.

Also, many plans don’t cover the cost of a wheel chair (if needed) and usually have a limit they will pay for fake limbs.

For people under 60, no medical exams are needed to begin coverage. For people over 60, the medical exam is not too rigorous, just a basic test making sure you don’t have some type of cancer or Aids.

Most health insurance plans also cover 100% of medicines, if issued under a doctor’s prescription, but only if the medicines are generic (not name brand).

In Ecuador, the generic medicines are in huge supply and tend to be identical to the name brand medicines, and at a fraction of the cost.

For part 2 click here… thanks…Domenick

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China Takes Big Interest in Ecuador

china in ecuador

When the soon-to-be number 1 economy in the world takes notice in a tiny little country like Ecuador, you better listen.

Chinese and Ecuadorian officials announced this week that an enormous loan of $1 billion dollars has been approved and will be given from the Chinese government to the Ecuadorian government.

The money will be used by the Ecuadorian government for governmental projects and state spending.

One stipulation was set that notes that at least 20% of the funds need to be spent on oil projects that directly benefit Chinese companies in Ecuador.

The Ecuador government is notorious world wide for simply not paying loaned money back (aka a high risk play).

Personally, I don’t think the Chinese ever expect to see their money back.

But they are certainly not stupid, I believe they are simply buying friends and leverage (aka power) for some big future plans in Ecuador.

This deal certainly was good for Ecuador, some of the funds will go directly to projects that positively impact investors, like road and bridge construction. One big plus of the current administration NO ONE can deny is that a lot of $$ has been spent in those areas and great strides have been made. Ecuador is more accessible than it was 5 years ago.

So why do you think China is investing BIG in Ecuador? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below…

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How to Find Volunteer Opportunities in Ecuador (for Free)

Finding a volunteer opportunity in Ecuador is easy, finding one that doesn’t charge you is another story.

Volunteering is an outstanding way to get a look at Ecuador from an Insider’s perspective and really see how people live. It can help you learn Spanish, meet cool people, and experience new things all while helping someone.

The problem is that most foundations down here charge foreigners a pretty hefty fee for the “experience”.

In order to find a program that doesn’t charge you for the volunteer experience you will need to look a little harder.

I wouldn’t even bother looking on the net, the programs you’ll find there are likely to charge you, often around $800 per month for the whole package, food, housing, transport, etc. Not a bad deal, unless your budget is tighter.

In that case, I would recommend you wait until you arrive in Ecuador to look for a volunteer opportunity.

Once in Ecuador, ask your hotel to lend you a local yellow pages where you can find dozens and dozens of non profits and their contact info if you look under “Fundaciones”.

You can call around or visit until you find an opportunity you like that doesn’t charge…

Another idea is to visit the UNICEF offices in Quito. They regulate the non profits that work with kids and can help locate you in a serious organization for no, or a small, fee.

Their office number in Quito is 2 460 330 x2414 or x2413.

Two organizations I recommend in Quito are the PAE which helps street animals and the Fundacion Triangulo which helps kids with disabilities.

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Authentic Ecuador Experience: Bike 60 km Downhill from the Andes to the Mouth of the Amazon

For anyone visiting Ecuador that likes to bike ride, this one is a must!

Did you know you can ride 60 km downhill in one day (about 5-7 hrs) from high in the Andes to the mouth of the Amazon, then catch a bus with your bike back up?

mountain biking in Ecuador
Biking in Ecuador from Banos to Puyo, anyone can do it…

To begin, you need to go to Banos, a beautiful spa town about 4 hours from Quito. There, there are many locales where you can rent a bike for the day for around $5.

With the bike, you need to go to the main road and start your downhill journey (no tour guide needed). Once the Best bike computer is affixed to your bike, you should have no worries of going astray.

80% is downhill, you will pass waterfalls, small pueblos and notice abrupt changes in the surrounding wildlife and vegetation. It is useful to take a poncho in case a sudden rainstorm hits.

Banos Ecuador
Just outside Banos Ecuador

The 60 km journey will end in Puyo, a town in the Amazon, where you can catch a bus for a few dollars back up to Banos, putting your bike under the bus. Puyo is located south of Tena and west of Yasuni National Park.

This is a MUST try for anyone who likes being outdoors and riding bikes!

Puyo Ecuador
The Mouth of the Amazon near Puyo Ecuador

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Customs Agent: Biggest Mistake Foreigners Make When Bringing Things to Ecuador?

I asked a customs official here in Ecuador recently, “What’s the biggest mistake foreigners make when bringing their household goods to Ecuador?”

He said:

They often bring prohibited items…like exotic pets, loads of new clothes or shoes, used cars or tires, or handguns.

My Notes: After a certain amount, if you bring a lot of clothes they may think you are bringing them down to resell, which may inherit tariffs…used cars can only be brought to the country under special parameters…used tires are not allowed and handguns are not allowed either…just sport guns if you follow the suggestions I made here.

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