Correa Thanks Contribution of Cuban Doctors to Health Care in Ecuador

President Rafael Correa said today that in 8 years of Citizen Revolution the number of patients seen increased from 16 to 36 millions and thanked the contribution of Cuban doctors to Ecuador''s Health Care System. Authorities work on fundamental lines to cover the doctors' deficit, especially when the number of health professionals tripled and 1612 national experts returned to the country, the president said.

During the inauguration of the out-patient consultation at the Specialty Hospital Abel Gilbert Pontón in the coast city of Guayaquil, Correa said the number is not enough to cover the needs, therefore we will keep hiring doctors and paying decent salaries.

Thanks to Cuba, hundreds of doctors have incorporated to the centers with staff deficit and we are grateful fo that show of solidarity to cover our health care needs.

We move forward with the return of doctors currently living overseas and the incorporation of 560 health professionals from Cuba, he specified.

The Head of State explained that the recently-inaugurated hospital has 45 consultations that allow for a decent assistance to patients in a acclimatized and comfortable environment.

The investment in infrastructure reached the 23.3 million dollars and 0.5 millions in equipment.

The center assists an average of 900 patients per day, especially in the areas of nephrology, oncology, ambulatory chemotherapy rooms, hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.