Patricia Moreno is advocating for better medical care for her son, Elkin, who is facing severe complications from a bone infection following surgery at a Guayaquil hospital.
Patricia Moreno has been seeking better medical attention for her son, Elkin, a 19-year-old with a 49% intellectual disability, who has been hospitalized for nearly a year due to a serious bone infection affecting his left leg. Elkin was admitted to Guayaquil Hospital in June 2025 after suffering a tibial fracture in November 2024, but his condition has worsened since his surgery, with infections believed to have originated during his hospital stay.
Despite initial surgical success, Elkin's condition deteriorated with the onset of a bone infection, which his mother claims he contracted in the operating room. The infection, linked to the staphylococcus bacteria, has posed a significant risk to his leg, with the possibility of amputation being discussed. Patricia has expressed her frustrations with the hospital's procedures, highlighting a continual cycle of conducting bacterial cultures that yield inconsistent results, further complicating her son's treatment.
Patricia's relentless fight for her son's health underscores ongoing challenges within Ecuador's public healthcare system, where patients' families often find themselves navigating complex medical issues and inadequate support. Her situation reflects broader concerns regarding hospital care quality in Ecuador, emphasizing the need for improvements in medical facilities and patient safety protocols to prevent similar cases in the future.
