Health and Safety in Ecuador

The Ministry of Public Health is responsible in regulating, standardizing and managing the activities concerning health of individuals and the environment involving by public and private units. The Institute of Social Security is established to look-out the Ecuadorian population in health matters suchlike old age, maternity, death and health risks. The public sub sector comprises of the Ministry of Public Health, the National Child and Family Institute, the Ministry of Social Welfare, the IESS and the Public Health Service of the Armed Forces and Police.

Life expectation at birth m/f (years) is 70/76; healthy life anticipation at birth m/f is 60/64 (2003); possibility of dying below 5 for every 1000 live births is 24; chance of dying between 15 and 60 years for every 1000 population m/f is 206/123. As of 2005, the total expense on health is 5.3% of GDP and health per capita (Intl $) is 274.

In 1995, there are around 53 hospitals and 3,985 beds available. Approximately, there were 1.6 dentists, 4.6 nurses, 11.8 nursing aides, and 0.7 midwives and 13.3 physicians for every 10,000 people. The main sources of death for every 100,000 population are hypertensive and cardiovascular diseases. Other common diseases encountered in the country are rheumatic fever, leprosy, HIV/AIDS, Pulmonary tuberculosis, measles, neonatal tetanus, diarrhea, respiratory infections, rabies infection, Plasmodium falciparu, dengue, cholera and hepatitis B. The major vaccinations suggested for Latin America travel are Infectious Hepatitis, Malaria, Poliomyelitis, Rabies, Tetanus, Typhoid and Yellow fever. Ecuadorian can dial 911 for emergency medical assistance, 101 for National Police and 131 for Red Cross.