Leiden University Student Repository

Kennelly, Lauren Kana (2020)

Traditional Healthcare in Ecuador

Bachelor thesis | International Studies (BA)

This thesis explores traditional healthcare in Ecuador through the figure of La Partera, the indigenous midwife. La Partera is a vital part of traditional healthcare. Many indigenous women feel it is essential that they are accompanied through pregnancy and childbirth by a Partera. Not only does she have experience but also a vast knowledge of the traditional medicines used to aid in childbirth. The problem occurs when one considers that the Ecuadorian healthcare system does not cater to Parteras or any traditional healthcare practices, especially considering the large number of indigenous people in Ecuador. Ecuador has an obligation to provide intercultural healthcare facilities to its population as it defines itself as a multicultural society. Healthcare practices being a part of culture, the Ecuadorian healthcare system needs to incorporate indigenous traditional healthcare in order to be a multicultural society.

Traditional healthcare

Partera

multiculturalism

intercultural healthcare

Author

Kennelly, Lauren Kana

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

Latin America

Supervisors

Churampi, Adriana

ECTS Credits

15

Language

en