In June 2019, a report by the NGO Refugees International (RI) indicates that despite the Contingency Plan of the Ministry of Health (MSP), the overpopulation of Venezuelans in certain areas of Ecuador makes it difficult to ensure their access to that service.
“Ecuadorians and Venezuelans must face the delay in access to treatments,” says RI. While Victoria Albán, president of the Ecuadorian Red Cross, says that Venezuelan migration has been experienced intensely in Ecuador since June 2018.
In its management report, it indicates that the entity activated 15 points of attention throughout the migration route, located in several provinces, including Carchi, Esmeraldas, Manabí, Guayas, Pichincha, Azuay and El Oro.
Between June 2018 and June 2019, the Red Cross provided 7,794 first aid services to Venezuelans; 299 in dentistry; 1,377 medical care and 37,957 in psychosocial support.
The MSP indicates that from 2015 to 2018 the number of Venezuelans who received health benefits reaches 247,585. Of that figure, 2018 records the highest number of attentions, with 194,543. In June 2019, the MSP reported that it provided attention to more than 23,600 Venezuelans in the border area with Colombia.
Vaccines were given to them and medical examinations were done, said Deputy Minister of Comprehensive Health Care, Julio López. The 247,585 Venezuelans who received benefits of this type, added to 16,851 students in the education system, total 264,436 people served.
Source: El Telégrafo
