Steven Williamson, MD, of Davidson, NC, is seeking other volunteer ophthalmologists to treat the citizens of Guadalupe, a small town in southern Ecuador. Twelve years ago the Catholic church built a medical clinic there. The clinic is staffed by a volunteer physician and dentist, and now serves patients in a 50 km radius.

Once a year, for the past 10 years, Dr. Hans-Ulrich Frank and two assistants care for patients with eye disease.  Last January, during the team’s three week stay at the clinic, they evaluated 1,134 patients and performed 82 cataract and 64 pterygium operations.  Due to the lack of any significant eye care outside of the two large cities in Ecuador, there is a tremendous need in this area for another team to come to the clinic at other times during the year. Volunteers would need to make a minimum two-week commitment anytime between April and October.

The clinic has an operating room and a microscope, and comfortable housing for the volunteers is provided near the clinic. If you or your colleagues would consider helping, please contact either Dr. Steven Williamson or Padre Jorge Nigsch.  For more information, visit the clinic website.