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Ecuadorian kidney patients protest over medication shortages
Kidney patients and their families gathered in Quito to protest a severe shortage of essential medicines in Ecuador's public health system. They allege that around 4,000 people with kidney disease have died in the past two years because of the lack of immunosuppressant drugs and dialysis supplies, and that roughly 20,800 patients now depend on regular dialysis treatment.
Protesters say hospitals are operating at only 54 % of the supply capacity recommended by the World Health Organization, far below the 80‑90 % range. The crisis follows cumulative health‑budget cuts of US$421 million between 2023 and 2025, with only 45 % of the budget executed in the most recent year. The Ministry of Health acknowledges that medication availability in public hospitals is about 60 %, leaving a 40 % shortfall, and announced plans to import 44 types of medicines from India to close the gap.
The Frente de Pacientes Renales del Ecuador has presented a seven‑point proposal, including the creation of a permanent national renal health board that would involve the Ministry of Health, the Instituto Ecuatoriano de Seguridad Social (IESS), private dialysis providers, academic and scientific societies, and patient representatives.
Entities
Carondelet Palace · Ecuador · Frente de Pacientes Renales del Ecuador · Juan Carlos Aveiga · Kevin Valdez · Kevin Valdés · Ministry of Health (Ecuador) · Ministry of Public Health of Ecuador · President Daniel Noboa
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Health budget cuts in Ecuador totalled US$421 million between 2023 and 2025, with only 45 % of the budget executed in the last year. www.telesurenglish.net
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Around 4,000 people with kidney disease have died in Ecuador over the past two years due to medication shortages. www.telesurenglish.net
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Frente de Pacientes Renales proposes a permanent national renal health board involving the Ministry of Health, IESS, private providers, academia, and patients. fmmundo.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ecuadorian hospitals are operating at 54 % supply capacity, below the WHO recommended 80‑90 % range. www.telesurenglish.net
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Approximately 20,800 patients in Ecuador depend on dialysis treatment. www.telesurenglish.net
- [○ 1 SOURCE] More than 20,000 renal patients in Ecuador have staged protests demanding treatment and medicines. fmmundo.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ecuador plans to import 44 types of medicines from India to address shortages. diariolosandes.com.ec
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Ministry of Health reports medication availability in Ecuador's public hospitals is about 60 %, implying a 40 % shortage. diariolosandes.com.ec