As a foreigner living in Ecuador, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
We asked expats in Ecuador if they have access to public healthcare in Ecuador. And, if they do have access, what is it like. They wrote...
"Just want to tell about my experience with IESS during covid. I was diagnosed with high risk prostate cancer in January 2021. As no so called elective surgeries were being done by IESS I had a catheter for 5 plus months until I paid out of pocket for what is called TURP surgery. Even before that I started hormone therapy at IESS. So it took about 4.5 months for me to start treatment. After that it was about another month before I started radiation treatments. I know a lot of folks rag on IESS but to be honest considering covid and full hospitals I was satisfied with the time frame. I stayed in Quito and received 38 radiation treatments, treatment everyday 5 days a week. I was treated with respect and never met anyone who wasn't professional and very friendly. All questions I had were answered and they made sure that I understood what was happening with my treatment. So I just want to give a shout out to IESS and let expats know that you can have a good experience if you just show a little patience and stay on top of things. I won't know my prognosis for about 4 more months but feel the complete experience was very positive," said a member in Ecuador.

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With Offices in BOTH Ecuador and the US, Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move! Specializing in Ecuador Residency Visas plus converting from Temporary to Permanent Residency, Containers, Real Estate Closings, Wills and Estate Planning, Driver Licenses, Opening Businesses & Citizenship!
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"Yes, foreigners living in Ecuador have access to public healthcare. The public healthcare system in Ecuador is generally considered to be of good quality, with many hospitals and clinics offering a wide range of services. The public healthcare system is funded by the government and is free for all Ecuadorian citizens, as well as for foreigners who are legally registered in the country. The quality of care may vary depending on the region, but overall, the public healthcare system in Ecuador is considered to be reliable and accessible," remarked another expat who made the move to Ecuador.
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Other Questions:
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- What is life like in Ecuador?
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- Is there a lot of crime in Ecuador?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Ecuador accepting of differences?
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- What are medical services in Ecuador like?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Ecuador?
- What are emergency services like in Ecuador?
- Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
- Are common prescription medications available in Ecuador?
- How are local medical facilities in Ecuador?
- As a foreigner living in Ecuador, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
- What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?
As a foreigner living in Ecuador, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
If you live in Ecuador, newcomers to Ecuador would love to hear your answer to this question:
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC
Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.