In a significant development concerning public health issues in Ecuador's prisons, around 50 family members of inmates at the Litoral Penitentiary gathered in a protest while the third urgent dialogue meeting about tuberculosis took place. The protestors, holding signs, expressed their concerns outside the Defensoría del Pueblo's offices in Guayaquil, highlighting the deteriorating sanitary conditions faced by inmates, particularly in connection to symptoms of tuberculosis that have been reported among some prisoners. This demonstration underscores the urgent necessity for action to prevent further health crises within the penal system.

For months, social organizations and family members have raised alarms about the alarming rate of tuberculosis cases within the penitentiary, citing potential links to several fatalities that some families believe are associated with this deadly disease. The current situation at the Litoral Penitentiary has become increasingly critical as health concerns extend beyond individual cases, pointing to systemic issues within the prison environment that need immediate attention. The gatherings and dialogues serve as platforms for voicing these grave issues, as the cries for help from families grow louder amidst ongoing neglect.

The urgent meeting is a response to a judicial decision made on December 10, which allowed for protective action regarding health conditions at the Litoral Penitentiary. Key state institutions, including the Ministries of Defense and Interior, were invited to participate in these discussions, demonstrating a proactive approach to address the urgent health challenges within the penitentiary system. It reflects a recognition of the need for a multi-faceted intervention that brings together various governmental actors to effectively tackle the pressing issue of tuberculosis in Ecuador's correctional facilities.