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Ecuador News Archive for Expats

Previously published reporting on politics, the economy, visas, safety, and life in Ecuador.

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Ecuadorian Dialysis Patients Protest in Cuenca Amidst National Government Payment Delays to Treatment Centers

Patients with kidney diseases protested in Cuenca, demanding the National Government pay outstanding debts to dialysis centers. These centers are owed payments for up to 20 months, with national debts ranging from $70 million to $400 million, raising concerns about the long-term stability of critical healthcare services.

Chip Moreno·September 15, 2026

healthcare

Ecuador Considers a USD 240 Million National Hospital-Information Platform

The Ministry of Public Health has invited CNT to provide a national interoperable health platform, with Italian company Dedalus as a subcontractor. The proposed seven-year process would target 1,742 prioritized health establishments, but it has not yet been awarded.

Chip Moreno·September 3, 2026

healthcare

Ecuador Reports 28,652 Dengue Cases as Insecticide Resistance Rises

Ecuador has recorded 28,652 dengue cases in 2026, with weekly reports above the same periods in 2025 since late May. Separate resistance data, measured through June 2025, shows high resistance to deltamethrin and a changing challenge for mosquito control.

Chip Moreno·August 26, 2026

healthcare

Davita Takes Control of Ecuadorian Dialysis Provider Cendialcon

Ecuador’s competition regulator approved Davita’s acquisition of 100% of Cendialcon. The deal comes as the public system refers 88% of dialysis patients to private clinics and Cendialcon reports a USD 5.71 million receivables balance.

Chip Moreno·August 18, 2026

healthcare

Iron-Supplement Shortages Put Pressure on Children With Anemia

The Ministry of Health’s central warehouse and two provinces had zero stock of iron supplements in the reported data, while national demand reaches 112,542 children.

Chip Moreno·August 6, 2026

healthcare

Ecuador Approves a New Essential-Medicines List With 512 Active Ingredients

The new Cuadro Nacional de Medicamentos Básicos increases the catalog from 494 to 512 active ingredients and will take effect during 2026 after official publication.

Chip Moreno·August 6, 2026

healthcare

Ecuador’s India Medicine Plan Moves Into Arcsa Review

Ecuador says its plan to buy medicines from India is now in Arcsa homologation, with a roadmap defined with India’s government. The plan matters for expats because medicine access, pharmacy prices, and public-health procurement all show up in everyday life.

Chip Moreno·July 27, 2026

healthcare

Ecuador Health Facilities To Adopt WHO’s CIE-11 Disease Classification

Hospitals and health centers in Ecuador will begin using the WHO’s CIE-11 system for diseases, diagnoses, and medical conditions. The goal is more uniform records across the health network.

Chip Moreno·July 15, 2026

healthcare

Juan Carlos Aveiga Becomes Ecuador’s New Health Minister

President Daniel Noboa appointed Juan Carlos Aveiga Parra as Minister of Public Health on July 10, replacing Jaime Bernabé. The change comes as medicine shortages remain one of the public health system’s major unresolved issues.

Chip Moreno·July 10, 2026

healthcare

More Than 1.7 Million People In Ecuador Now Have Private Health Insurance

Private health insurance continues to grow in Ecuador, with more than 1.7 million people covered and health insurance premiums reaching USD 180.5 million in 2025.

Chip Moreno·July 6, 2026

healthcare

IESS Now Lists 3.6 Million Active Affiliates: What The Five Regimes Mean

Ecuador’s social security system had 3.6 million active affiliates as of May 2026, up more than 102,000 from a year earlier. The useful part for expats is understanding the difference between dependent, independent, voluntary, domestic-work, and youth affiliation.

Chip Moreno·July 5, 2026

healthcare

El Nino Risk List Includes 460 Ecuador Health Facilities

At least 460 hospitals and health centers are located in Ecuador parishes under yellow alert for El Nino. Most are small health centers, and the risk list is concentrated heavily in Manabi and Guayas.

Chip Moreno·July 5, 2026