Perspectives in Health Magazine
The Magazine of the Pan American Health Organization
Volume 8, Number 2, 2003

Huaquillas, June 2

At Huaquillas, a bridge over an invisible borderline links Ecuador and Peru. As at any border crossing, vendors sell their wares from stands on both sides. The two nationalities mix noisily, buying and selling, sharing news and gossip, coming and going with boxes and bags full of fruit and vegetables, CDs and tape recorders, shirts and sandals.

On both sides of the border children are being vaccinated. Señora Aminta, a vendor, asks me if I will watch her vegetable stand while she takes her daughter to be vaccinated. She asks me shyly, calling me "doctor," which I am not. Her 3-year-old clings to her skirt. "Of course," I say. "With pleasure. What do I do?" But my question gets lost in the bustle. I sit on some old coffee sacks and contemplate for a moment the symbolism of this campaign: two sister countries, joining forces, have become for this occasion a single community.

Quito, June 3

For an entire day, we visit some of the capital city’s most marginal areas: La Magdalena, Cotocollao, San Golquí and San Rafael. In each of the health centers we visit the pace of activity and efficiency are impressive. Mothers, fathers, boys and girls are everywhere, and health workers tirelessly perform each critical task, vaccinating, reviewing records, taking notes. Others screen visitors to speed up the work: "If you’re not here for a vaccination, please come this way." After the vaccinations comes the parent survey: "How was the experience? How long did you have to wait? How did you learn about the vaccine campaign? How can we improve our services?" Some answer quickly as they head back to their offices, shops and construction sites after taking time off to dedicate to their children’s health. A father kisses his wife and daughter goodbye and jumps on a passing microbus, which heads down the narrow streets leading to the city center.

We visit health centers of all sizes. Enthusiastic health workers show us the iceboxes where the vaccines are kept, the examination rooms, vehicles with megaphones, detailed maps. But they also show us something else: their dedication and love for their work, their joy at being able to provide a little hope for their fellow citizens.

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