The Teletón Institute of Coquimbo was inaugurated in 2003 and since then it has been a reference for the care of people with disabilities in the region. Precisely, this Thursday, April 25, it commemorated its 21st anniversary.
Located in the La Pampilla sector, the regional institute has overcome various circumstances, such as the tsunami that destroyed its old building in 2015. To continue with clinical care and continue the rehabilitation of affected children and young people, the Teletón team moved its service to facilities provided by the then Universidad del Alba in La Serena, thus ensuring the continuity of the rehabilitation processes.
In 2021, the regional government delivered the building where the institute currently operates, now certified with CES, highlighting its commitment to sustainability. A year later, the center was accredited with the international CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) certification, for three years, in recognition of the quality of the rehabilitation program, aligned with international standards.
The director of the Teletón Institute of Coquimbo, Zoia Pedrero, highlights the importance of the institute’s work in improving the quality of life of people with disabilities and their families, as well as their social inclusion. “We work every day to provide the best service to our users, with the best quality and safety standards,” she explained.
Coquimbo Telethon present Every Day
In the last 12 months, Teletón Coquimbo has served approximately 1,600 boys, girls and young people with disabilities, from different communes and urban and rural locations in the area. Likewise, within the same period, more than 150 new families were received, referred by the different public and private health facilities in the Coquimbo Region.
During 2023, the regional headquarters provided more than 44,000 services in total. That same year, the center carried out 40 surgeries and provided more than 200 technical aids, such as wheelchairs, walkers, standing, among others.
In that same year, the Teletón Coquimbo Institute began the process of preparing for quality accreditation before the Superintendency of Health, regarding compliance with the quality standards set and regulated by the Ministry of Health.
In addition, the rehabilitation center became the venue for the “Champions Without Limits” meeting, which brought together 75 athletes from disciplines such as soccer, basketball and swimming, users of the Valparaíso, Copiapó and Coquimbo Institutes to share and show their sporting talents with enthusiasm and motivation.
“One of our challenges is maintaining care coverage. This year we have proposed to strengthen networking, to benefit access to rehabilitation for users living in more remote areas,” explained Dr. Zoia Pedrero. “This year we have expanded our teaching work, to contribute to the training of new professionals for the region, in kinesiology, occupational therapy, speech therapy and soon, in the training of new physiatrists,” she added.
Currently, the Teletón Coquimbo team is made up of 50 collaborators, including professionals, technicians and administrative staff. This team is joined by 85 permanent volunteers, who contribute with their time and warmth, joining different programs and services.
On its twenty-first anniversary, the Teletón de Coquimbo institute reaffirmed its commitment to the mission of transforming lives through quality and warm care, promoting fundamental values for the institution, such as solidarity, to build a more inclusive and full of opportunities.
