SOVEREIGN MEDICAL ORDER OF THE KNIGHTS HOSPITALLER

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ECUADOR MISSIONS

The Soldier's of Charity in Ecuador

Nearly five hundred years of history, since their first landing in Guayaquil in 1541, the original religious Order of St. John, returned its first mission of the 21st century to the Andes. In a village that had recently been struck with cholera, and a few years previously with the plague, the Grand Master at this rare of occasion of highest altitude, where the villagers have a deep distrust for outsiders, made medical examinations and surveyed the needs of the people.

At 6,300m Chimborazo is the highest volcano and mountain on the planet. If you take into account the equatorial bulge, Ecuador sits in the center of the bulge which in effect means the Equator lands enjoy higher levels of elevation than anywhere else on earth making it the closest area to other planets and has been nicknamed the summit where earth meets sky. From the refugio the ascent is a hard 1350 m climb and is not recommended to anyone other than experienced acclimatized climbers with professional equipment.

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In 2005, talks were held with the Minister of Health of Ecuador and other officials regarding the medical needs of the rural peoples. The Minister suggested we contact the medical school in Cuenca and the President of the Medical Society in Quito where talks were held with overall acceptance and support of medical missions using natural medicines for the poor.

The following year, the Grand Master coordinated with the Dean of the Azuay Medical School, Dr. Rodas, and a five day course was delivered at the Cuenca campus in rural primary care using drugless therapies, as a means to assist the poor. Affiliations were established.

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In October, 2005, a World Congress was organized for the regional introduction to doctors in rural, primary care using natural therapeutics in cooperation with the SOMA Institute, FEMNTA [Federacion Ecuatoriana de Medicinas Naturales Tradicionales y Alternativas], Naturopathic Medical Association (Antilliaanse Vereniging Voor Natuuurgenesswijzen) Curacao, N.A.; the City of Quito, and other Ecuadorian Organizations. The first day featured prayer in the andean mountains with Shamans, followed by a 3 day congress at Swiss Hotel, Quito. More than 300 participants were in attendance.

In 2005, other important affiliations were made with FEMNTA and the Escuela Superior Politecnica Ecologica Amazonica

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In 2006, in cooperation with the SOMA Institute [Prof. Dr. of Med. Fernando Pinto, Dr. Carlos Jaramillo], a series of classes were conducted on Acupuncture and Neural Therapy, with more than 50 doctors in participation.

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In 2007, the Order sponsored a 4 day training in rural, primary care at the INEPE School in Quito. Over fifty doctors, nurses and medical students attended.

INEPE, the first high school in Ecuador to teach classes in natural medicine.

Grand Bailiff Dr. Jaramillo conducts a mission clinic every week at INEPE.
	Urinalysis and hematology was introduced by the Grand Master in 2006, equipment was donated to maintain a mission clinic.
Weekly classes on Natural Medicine provided to the students at INEPE.

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In 2007, property was donated to the Order to establish a resident mission for the poor in Santo Domingo de los Colorados.

In April, 2007, the Ecuadorian Congress passed legislation to officiate the charitable, medical-religious foundation - La Orden Soberana de Caballeros Medicos Hospitalarios de San Juan de Jerusalen

As of September, 2008, the management office has been constructed under the supervision of member, the Hon. Ing. Victor Abad.

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In 2007, diplomatic relations were established with the Tsachila Tribes of Santo Domingo de los Colorados.

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In April 2007, in commenoration of this historic event, the return of the Hospitaller's of the 21st century to Ecuador, affiliation agreements were

signed in Cuenca with several Foundations of Ecuador

In October 2007, the Grand Master and Grand Surgeon announced the opening of the Hospitaller School of Medicine in Cuenca

Classes are ongoing in 2008.

The Grand Master, H.E. Prof. McWilliams, is a registered doctor of medicine in Ecuador as is the Grand Surgeon and Grand Bailiff.

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GRAND MASTER AND DAME MAKE A DIPLOMATIC CALL UPON THE CONSULATE OF ECUADOR FOR ISRAEL

On April 15th, 2008, the Grand Master and Dame made a diplomatic call upon His Excellency Rafael Veintimilla, Embajador del Ecuador, at the Asia Building downtown Tel Aviv. The Grand Master introduced the resident Fundacion of the Order - La Orden Soberana de Caballeros Medicos Hospitalarios de San Juan de Jerusalen - and described the Order's hospital project in Santo Domingo and its resident medical school in Cuenca. The Grand Master is wishing to make diplomatic ties with a similar project to be discussed in Mt. Gerizim with the Samaritan peoples.

The Ambassador expressed his pleasure of such works being done in his country and his desire to help the Order in any manner possible. He expressed the need for medical care in rural parts of Ecuador and wished the Order's continuance all the success possible.

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Last updated Dec. 31, 2008

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