Medical Care

Excellent medical care is available in Quito and Guayaquil. Many USA and European trained bilingual doctors are available, and many find they offer superior service and much lower cost than back home. The British, German and American embassies have lists of recommended 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 or personally recommended doctor, be aware that the care you receive can vary from excellent to incompetent, especially in small towns.

Recommended Doctors in Quito:

• Dr. Alvaro Davalos. General Practitioner with specialization in Tropical Medicine. La Colina 202 y San Ignacio (near 6 de Diciembre and Colón). Tel: 2500267/8. E-mail: adavalos@pi.pro.ec
  
• Dr. John Rosenberg. Internal Medicine. Foch 476 y Almagro, Look for MedCenter sign. Tel: 2521104/2223333/09-9447237. E-mail: jrd@pi.pro.ec
  
• Dr. Patrick Bullock, Chiropractor. Clínica Quiropráctica, Cumbaya. Tel: 2891-931. E-mail: bullock0005@yahoo.com

Recommended Dentists in Quito:

Odontos Specialized Dental Care (Email) - relying on the latest technologies and highly qualified staff, Odontos Specialized Dental Care specializes in all major types of dentistry - aesthetics, prosthodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, pedodontics, oral maxillofacial, surgery, and periodontics. OSDC offers you the world's best services at a fraction of the costs paid for them in the U.S., examining and treating you in a prompt and professional manner and allowing you to spend the money you save on your procedures on a dream vacation in Ecuador and the Galapagos. Contact them today at natalie@interactive.net.ec.

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.