(So much financial resources being poured into covids vaxx, the EC Gov are gonna cut all other healthcare services way back, this will just be another domino effect of Ecua medical catastrophes)

June 07, 2021- 'HCAM iess doctors hung up their aprons as a peaceful protest for the lack of medicines and supplies for patients-

Doctors and patients at the Carlos Andrade Marín Hospital of the IESS (HCAM) assured that their patience was over. Today, Monday, June 7, 2021, they held a walk and a protest sit-in for the lack of medicines and supplies for people with catastrophic illnesses who are cared for at that health center, located on Universitaria and 18 de Septiembre avenues, downtown Quito.

The sit-in was called ‘Plantón por la vida’ and took place inside the health center. It began in the outpatient area of pulmonology.

The reason for the protest is the lack of medicines, such as antibiotics, immunosuppressants and others for patients. Also, there is no care in chemotherapies. Photo: Screenshot
Valeria Heredia, News Unit

Doctors and patients at the Carlos Andrade Marín Hospital of the IESS (HCAM) assured that their patience was over. Today, Monday, June 7, 2021, they held a walk and a protest sit-in for the lack of medicines and supplies for people with catastrophic illnesses who are cared for at that health center, located on Universitaria and 18 de Septiembre avenues, downtown Quito.

The sit-in was called ‘Plantón por la vida’ and took place inside the health center. It began in the outpatient area of pulmonology.

At 11:30, the doctors met in a parking lot of the establishment and from there they walked towards one of the entrances together with the patients and their families. With banners and megaphones, they protested because there are not enough medicines or equipment to provide an adequate health service.

“Today marks 51 years of this emblematic hospital for the city and the affiliates of the IESS, which is in an absolute lack of leadership. There are no medicines, people with cancer are dying, ”said doctor Cristhian Cevallos.

As a symbolic and peaceful protest, he and his companions hung their white aprons outside the hospital due to the lack of attention from government authorities. This is a sign of disagreement against the situation facing this specialty sanatorium.

“We have sent our requirements to the authorities; however, this week we have no authorities because the manager and the medical director resigned. The situation is very critical, ”said intensivist Abel Godoy.

Along with the doctors was a group of patients from different foundations and organizations. "We want health to be prioritized, those who suffer from catastrophic illnesses can no longer wait for medicines," said Gustavo Dávila of the Youth Against Cancer foundation.

Mauricio Zúñiga, representative of the Ecuadorian Transplant Association, complained that families have no income to pay for expensive treatments. He assured that the problems have worsened since the Covid-19 pandemic began in March of last year.

Juan Carlos Toledo is a liver transplant who cannot get the prescription that costs USD 700. “They are not helping us, we are risking our lives,” he said.

In a message, which was disseminated to patients, it is stated: "we doctors do not have what to treat patients with." This newspaper accessed some reports on the situation of the HCAM. Dated May 31, 2021, in memorandum No. IESS-HCAM-JACI-2021-0583-M, it is explained that there is a lack of drugs for the care of critically ill patients, that is, those who are in the unit of intensive care (ICU).

These include 25 formulas, including sedatives, anesthetics, muscle relaxants, opioids, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and antifungals. Many of these are used to treat those infected with SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease covid-19. Also, for those who have multi-resistant infections, etc.

"The lack of these drugs puts the patients treated in the Intensive Care Unit and their outcomes at risk, exposing the patient and the professionals who care for them to not achieving the expected clinical results," the document reads.

Additionally, it is detailed that there are no medical devices, such as venous catheters for the infusion of drugs.
The memorandum also insists that there is "limited resolution capacity." That is why they ask for the pending public procurement processes to be streamlined. Surgical and anesthesia services are requested to limit their activity to scheduled procedures.

They also remind clinical and surgical services to anticipate patients and families about possible referrals.

This Monday, an official letter circulated on social networks about the irrevocable resignation of the general manager in charge of the HCAM, Plinio Alvear. He has been in office since December 23, 2020.

The week before, Vice President Alfredo Borrero visited the HCAM. He did it together with the Minister of Health, Ximena Garzón.

“I cannot understand being a doctor, who has managed a hospital, that there are no medications. We are going to investigate in order to change the system for you. Our reason for existence as a government is for you, the poorest people, "said Borrero." -

https://www.elcomercio.com/tendencias/sociedad/protesta-falta-medicamentos-hospital-andrade-marin-iess.html