Pichincha hospitals face a severe crisis as the number of surgeries dropped significantly and medical supplies are at critically low levels, prompting calls for emergency measures from medical unions.
In Pichincha, Ecuador, hospitals are experiencing a significant crisis, leading to a dramatic reduction in surgical procedures from 6,000 to just 3,000 annually. Medical professionals attribute this decline to a critical shortage of essential medicines and supplies, with hospitals operating at only 30% of their required stock. This shortage includes vital anesthetics and other basic medications such as antibiotics and analgesics, which are crucial for conducting surgeries.
Jorge Panchi, a physician at the Eugenio Espejo hospital, highlighted that the lack of anesthetics severely hampers their ability to perform necessary surgical procedures. The Enrique Garcés hospital is also affected, showcasing the broader implications of resource scarcity across multiple facilities in the region. Additionally, some medical equipment has fallen into disrepair due to insufficient maintenance, compounding the challenges faced by healthcare providers.
In light of these alarming conditions, Juan Pasquel, president of the Pichincha College of Physicians, has called for declaring a state of emergency and appointing a dedicated Minister of Health. The existing health committee established by the government to manage medicine procurement has failed to tackle the ongoing issues, further adding to calls for urgent governmental intervention to resolve the crisis and ensure proper healthcare delivery in Pichincha.
