Ecuador Health Insurance

The Republic of Ecuador is located on the west coast of South America and it shares borders with Colombia and Peru. The country’s population is approximately 15 million people within a land area of 272,046 square kilometers. This total land area includes the Galapagos Islands which lie roughly 1,000 kilometers off its west coast. Both Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands are home to a wide variety of species of flora and fauna, making it one of just 17 mega diverse countries (group of countries that harbor the majority of the Earth's species) in the world. Ecuador has many natural resources and its economy is heavily reliant on the export of crude oil, petroleum, gold and shrimp. This dependence on the export of oil has meant that any fluctuations in world oil prices can have a severe impact on the economy. Poor economic performance, rising inflation and a devaluation of the national currency in the mid to late 1990s resulted in Ecuador adopting the US Dollar as the country’s official currency. Today, Ecuador is a medium income country although an estimated 35 per cent of the population lives below the international poverty line.

Ecuador Health Care and Insurance

The Ministry of Public Health (MPH) assumes responsibility for the provision of health care services in Ecuador. The main priorities of the MPH are to provide social support and services to the population, with an emphasis on primary health care and preventative treatment. There are both public and private health care facilities available in Ecuador, a majority of which can be found in the country’s largest city, Guayaquil, and in the capital city, Quito. A national health insurance scheme covers certain sections of the workforce such as public sector workers while a separate public health insurance scheme aims to provide universal health coverage at no cost to all Ecuadorian citizens. In reality however, the scheme only covers certain treatments and many patients are required to pay part of the cost of their treatment. Expatriates, travelers and non-nationals are not covered by either scheme; thus purchasing an international Ecuador health insurance policy is strongly advised.

The public health care system is comprised of community health care centers and hospitals. Health centers can be found in both cities and rural areas; they provide general out-patient services such as consultations, immunizations and basic treatments. Patients requiring further or specialist care can be referred to a nearby hospital. Public hospitals are adequately equipped and can offer a reasonable standard of care.

The private health sector has seen rapid growth and development in recent years and there are a high number of private health clinics and hospitals in Quito and Guayaquil. Private health facilities are staffed by highly trained medical personnel and offer a standard of care above that at public facilities, albeit at an increased cost. The main private clinics and hospitals in Quito are the Nova Clínica Santa Cecilia, Santa Lucia, Militar and the Metropolitano hospital. In Guayaquil, the Clinic Guayaquil and the Clinic Alciva are supported by the Hospital Clinic Kennedy and the General Private Hospital.

Ecuador Travel Insurance Concerns

Similar to many countries that deliver a national or public health insurance scheme, Ecuador’s public health facilities are often overcrowded and its health personnel overworked. There is a general shortage of medical personnel as a high number of university graduates seeking more favorable employment conditions either apply for employment within the private medical sector or emigrate. Public facilities in rural areas are quite basic and many rural residents who require specialist care are referred to facilities in cities like Quito and Guayaquil, adding extra pressure on facilities there. Long waiting times are common and many Ecuadorian citizens are accustomed to long queues just to enter hospital. There are no such issues at private health facilities and expatriates and foreign nationals in possession of an international Ecuador health insurance policy are advised to use private health facilities wherever possible.

Ecuador is named after the country’s position along the equator and it experiences warm, tropical weather throughout the year. Along its coastline, there is little daily fluctuation in temperature although conditions are cooler and more pleasant at higher altitudes. A number of tropical diseases are endemic throughout low lying areas below 1500 meters in elevation. Expatriates and travelers visiting the region for the first time should seek advice from a travel health specialist at least four weeks prior to arrival in the country. Routine vaccinations should be updated if required and vaccinations against Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B, Yellow Fever and Rabies are recommended. Malaria is present in all low lying areas with the exception of Quito, Guayaquil and the Galapagos Islands. If you intend visiting an area with Malaria, you are advised to use anti-malarial drugs, insect repellant and bed nets. Outbreaks of Dengue Fever are common and immediate medical attention should be sought if you experience fever or flu like symptoms.

Maintaining personal safety and security is an area of concern expatriates and tourists traveling to Ecuador. Crime levels, including those for assault, armed robbery and muggings are on the increase, while incidents of pick pocketing and other forms of street crime are common in most parts of the country, particularly in large cities. Foreign nationals are advised to carry identity documents, typically their passport, at all times. The army enforces a 20 kilometer exclusion zone along the border with Colombia and travel to this area should be avoided at all times. Political demonstrations and rallies frequently occur and foreign nationals may be arrested and deported if they are suspected of participating in these events.

Ecuador Expat Health Insurance

Private health facilities in Ecuador are capable of providing a reasonable level of care. Should a medical emergency or complication arise, evacuation to a country with state of the art medical facilities will be necessary. Expatriates and travelers should note that they are required to pay in cash for any medical treatment received. It is therefore imperative that you purchase an international Ecuador health insurance policy which will protect against high medical costs. Expat Medical Insurance can help you decide which policy is best suited to your particular needs. Policies can include provisions such as in-patient care, medical evacuation and more. For more information on Ecuador health insurance, global health insurance policies or to receive a free quote, please contact one of our advisors today.