Access to the health system

All persons in Ecuador, regardless of their migration status, have the right to be provided health care services free of charge in public centers, subcenters and hospitals. Therefore, you don’t need any specific documents to get medical assistance.

Public health services in Ecuador are free. All people have the right to access these services, regardless of their nationality, migration status and whether or not they have identity documents.

• If you require medical care, call 171 for free. Press option 1 and request an appointment at the nearest health center?️. You can only book appointments for general medicine, obstetrics, psychology, dentistry and healthy child control. A family member can make an appointment in your name; they will only need your identification data.
• If you need counseling on sexual health, reproductive health and violence prevention, mother and newborn health, feeding pregnant and lactating women and children under 2 years of age, and harmful use of alcohol and other drugs, call 171 option 2, from Monday to Friday from 7:00am to 7:00pm, and Saturdays from 8:00am to 2:00pm.
• If you have symptoms such as fever, dry cough or shortness of breath call 171 option 5 for free? the advisors will assess your symptoms and, if necessary, schedule a doctor’s appointment.
• If you have a medical emergency,  go to the closest health care center.

🚨 Important! Pregnant women 🤰🏻 must attend at least five prenatal checkups throughout the pregnancy, and the first checkup should take place as soon as they find out they are pregnant. These checkups help identify factors that may put the pregnancy or the newborn’s health at risk.

– Call 📞 171, option 1 free of charge and request an appointment for a prenatal checkup.

– For nutrition counseling during pregnancy, you can call 171, option 2 from Monday to Friday, 07:00 to 19:00, and Saturdays from 08:00 to 14:00.

🚨 Remember! During each checkup, health personnel must provide you with respectful and clear information about pregnancy care and danger signs.

You have the right to a respectful pregnancy and childbirth. Contact the association “El Parto es Nuestro” and join their informational sessions: https://www.facebook.com/EpenEc

Remember! Public health services 🏥 in Ecuador are free of charge. Everyone has the right to access these services, regardless of their nationality, migration status, or whether they have documentation.

If you have experienced discrimination in the health system, you can contact the Defensoría del Pueblo. 

🏥 Remember! It is important that your baby consumes only breast milk or formula during the first 6 months of life.

– If you are having difficulties breastfeeding, you can call 171, option 2 from Monday to Friday, 07:00 to 19:00, and Saturdays from 08:00 to 14:00 to receive breastfeeding support. You can also contact La Leche League through their page https://www.facebook.com/Laligadelaleche and join their virtual support groups.

Remember! Public health services 🏥 in Ecuador are free of charge. Everyone has the right to access these services, regardless of their nationality, migration status, or whether they have documentation.

If you have experienced discrimination in the health system, you can contact the Defensoría del Pueblo. 

To vaccinate your sons and daughters, go to the health center closest to your home and request that your baby be vaccinated. You do not need a prior appointment, but it is important to check the service hours before going with your baby. After the vaccination, the health staff will give you a vaccination card indicating when the next doses are due.

🚨 In Ecuador, everyone has the right to access the vaccination schedule 💉, regardless of their nationality, migration status, or whether they have documentation.

Remember! Public health services 🏥 in Ecuador are free of charge.

If you have experienced discrimination in the health system, you can contact the Defensoría del Pueblo.