Medical Care

Good medical care is available in Quito and Guayaquil, where many of the bilingual doctors were trained in the USA and Europe. The British, German and American embassies have a list of excellent multi-lingual doctors. If you visit an embassy recommended doctor, expect primary care equal to what you would receive at home. However, if you are unable to see an embassy-recommended doctor or medical professional, be aware that the care you receive can vary from excellent to incompetent, especially in small towns.

Recommended doctors in Quito (all of the doctors listed below speak fluent English and are recommended by the American and British embassies):

• Dr. Alvaro Davalos. General Practitioner with specialization in tropical medicine. La Colina 202 y San Ignacio (near 6 de Diciembre and Colon). Tel: 2500267/8. E-mail: adavalos@pi.pro.ec
  
• Dr. John Rosenberg. Internal Medicine. Foch 476 y Almagro (down the street from the Magic Bean). Look for MEDCENTER sign. Tel: 2521104/2223333/09-9447237. E-mail: jrd@pi.pro.ec
  
• Dr. Patrick Bullock, Chiropractor. Clínica Quiropráctica, Coremo E14-73 y Eloy Alfaro. Tel: 2457782. E-mail: bullock0005@yahoo.com
  

Hospitals

Recommended hospitals in Quito:

• Hospital Metropolitano: Mariana de Jesus and Avenida Occidental; tel: 2431520
  
• Hospital Voz Andes: Villalengua 267; tel: 2241540
  

Pharmacies

Pharmacies in major cities carry a wide range of over-the-counter drugs, antibiotics, and treatments, some of which are only available on a prescription basis in the USA or Europe. Pharmacies are open regular business hours, and the Quito-based El Comercio newspaper publishes a list (on Saturday) of pharmacies which are open after hours. In Quito, you can find a number of pharmacies open 24-hours a day, as they operate on a rotation system - look out for an illuminated "Turno" sign outside. The pharmacy on 6 de Deciembre and San Ignacio (near Supermaxi) is recommended and is open 24-hours a day.

If you consult a local pharmacist, exercise caution as they may recommend a mountain of drugs to cure an illness that they are only guessing you have. Many tropical and parasitic diseases have similar symptoms, but can be precisely diagnosed only by lab tests and a doctor's visit. Additionally, a wide variety of drugs that are available in Ecuador have not been approved in the U.S. and or Europe, and for good reason: many could cause side-affects as serious as your initial ailment. Once again an embassy-approved doctor can steer you away from such drugs. The above warning aside and with the exception of very rare prescription medications, you can buy a wide variety of safe pharmaceutical goods once in Ecuador, particularly in the larger cities.

Please read our health section to find out more about common health concerns and to learn how to stay healthy while traveling in Ecuador.