Quito, March 7, 2025 – The successful 2025 reclassification of Ecuador's Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) has demonstrated that the Ministry of Public Health's (MSP) two mobile hospitals meet the standards for international and national deployments in emergencies and disasters.
The evaluation, which included a desk review and a visit to the mobile hospital deployed in Pedernales, confirmed that the country, thanks to its technical teams and the ongoing support from the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), has a highly prepared component consisting of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, paramedics, and other health professionals ready to provide direct and immediate care to those affected by emergencies and disasters.
Participants in the evaluation process included: Luis de la Fuente, regional EMT advisor; Andres Sanz, EMT technical secretariat team; Jose Francisco Sigüenza, chief evaluator from the Department of Emergency and Post-Conflict AECID; Magdalena Alcocer, observer from the PAHO/WHO Ecuador office; MSP delegates; and staff from Mobile Hospital No. 1 Pedernales and Mobile Hospital No. 2 Alausí.
Luis de la Fuente congratulated Ecuador on its renewal as a Type 2 EMT. "This recognition reflects the team's continuous effort to strengthen its clinical, logistical, and operational support capabilities. Their commitment to quality and rapid response capabilities continues to make a difference in emergencies," he added.
In September 2017, Ecuador became the first country in the Americas to classify its two mobile hospitals as Type 2 EMTs. The reclassification is conducted periodically and is approved as long as the standards outlined in the "Classification and Minimum Standards for EMTs (2021)" are met.
Emergency Medical Teams are a valuable tool for ensuring access to health care for the population in crisis or disaster situations. Their operation is based on international guiding principles and the collaborative work of professionals from various fields.
The success of these teams is evident in the Mobile Hospitals, where synergy between operational and administrative personnel is key to providing timely and quality care to those affected by health emergencies and contingencies.
