Global Initiatives - Ecuador

South America, specifically Ecuador, served as International Medical Aid’s first target country and the site of IMA’s first health campaign. Ecuador is among the poorest countries in Latin America, with a per capita income of less than $5000. The current structure of the Ecuadorian public healthcare system is archaic, with origins dating back to 1967. Public health policies and regulations are mandated by the Ministerio de Salud Publica del Ecuador, which according to Transparency International is plagued by widespread corruption and mismanagement.

Government decentralization efforts under President Rafael Correa have created greater fragmentation in the healthcare system. Despite a universal healthcare system, many Ecuadorians continue to lack access to even basic healthcare and wellness resources. In rural areas and among indigenous populations, access to routine medical care is even less common. The World Health Organization estimates that healthcare spending per capita in Ecuador is less than $130, compared to nearly $400 in nearby Argentina. In comparison, Ecuador spends 47 times less on healthcare per person than the United States. As a result, there are fewer than 1.5 hospital beds and doctors per every 1000 people, and the infant mortality rate in Ecuador is among the highest in South America.

Overall, Ecuador’s public healthcare system serves less than half of the country’s population. Established NGOs work to fill this gap but currently only reach an additional 5% of the population. Rural inhabitants and migrant workers, including many women and children, are systematically the most underserved groups, making mobile healthcare facilities and outreach programs a promising prospect to improve overall health in Ecuador.