Dare to Be Better Together: Neonatal Medical Global Grant in Ecuador

Individual effort may be turned to individual needs but combined effort should be dedicated to the service of mankind. The power of combined effort knows no limitation.
- Paul Harris, 1917

Alpharetta Rotary partnered with six D6900 Clubs, and the Quevado Rotary Club to organized a Global Grant for $62,250 for the improvement of neo-natal healthcare in Ecuador. Partnering Clubs include Columbus, Sandy Springs, Milton, Johns Creek, North Fulton and Marietta Metro. This global grant specifically addresses the Rotary’s area of focus in saving mothers and children.

The grant will provide medical equipment necessary to the Pedro Martinetti Navas hospital, to aid in the delivery of newborns and help avoid serious complications that can provoke irreversible conditions like child brain paralysis. The hospital delivers 450 infants a year -- all of who will benefit from the new medical equipment.

The equipment—including incubators, fetal monitors, infusion pumps, and phototherapy lamps—will be lifesaving additions to the maternity hospital. Additionally, several Rotarians have expressed interest in visiting Ecuador as part of the project implementation and to pursue additional projects.

The Rotary Club of Quevedo has sponsored this hospital for about 20 years and provided the original neonatal equipment, which at present has become useless. This project will replace the existing equipment and will last for a decade or more.

In celebration of the Rotary Foundation Centennial, 100% of Alpharetta Rotary members participated in this grant through our quarterly Rotary Foundation contributions.