Ecuador

The Decennial Health Plan (PDS) 2022-2031 of Ecuador is a comprehensive national strategy aimed at transforming the healthcare system to achieve universal health coverage, equity, and efficiency. It aligns with the Constitution of Ecuador, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3), and the Agenda for Sustainable Health in the Americas (ASSA 2030). The plan is the result of a participatory process, incorporating insights from public institutions, private stakeholders, academia, and civil society​. PDS 2022-2031 is structured around five strategic objectives: (1) Equity in health, aiming to reduce socioeconomic and geographic disparities in healthcare access; (2) Health promotion, focusing on preventive measures and healthy lifestyle adoption; (3) Preventive medicine, strengthening disease prevention and reducing avoidable mortality; (4) Timely and quality healthcare, improving service accessibility, particularly at the primary care level; and (5) An integrated and efficient health system, ensuring universal coverage and sustainability​. Despite notable progress in health legislation, service expansion, and COVID-19 response, Ecuador’s healthcare system continues to face fragmentation, inefficiencies, and financing gaps. The plan seeks to modernize health governance, improve intersectoral coordination, and enhance data-driven decision-making. However, challenges remain, particularly in reducing maternal and child mortality, combating malnutrition, and strengthening rural healthcare infrastructure​. The success of PDS 2022-2031 will depend on sustained political commitment, intersectoral collaboration, and strategic investment. The plan’s emphasis on digital transformation, community engagement, and preventive care positions Ecuador to advance towards a resilient, equitable, and people-centered health system​.