Guayaquil - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
The quality of heathcare is quite good, with skilled and experienced doctors of all types. The hospital recommended is a little old, but the equipment seems up to date. Newer hospitals exist which I would recommend. I would go to the States for unusual or complex cases (unique surgery, cancer radiation/chemo), but we have a good understanding of Spanish that helps us in the local options. It is NOT as hot and humid as one might expect for living on the coast at the equator. - Aug 2022
Medical care seems to be okay. There is a small MED unit at post, but the services available are much less than you'd normally find at an Embassy. - Jun 2022
Medical care is fine, there's a decent amount of pollution and it gets very humid here during the rainy season, but otherwise it's a fine post for a generally healthy person. - Oct 2020
Mosquito-borne illnesses. Take the sun seriously and use sunscreen all the time. You are really close to the sun; it is not a joke. Medical care is pretty good there. You can get most things treated, coworkers got surgeries while there, braces, dental procedures, etc. - Feb 2019
Poor healthcare here. Many people use medevacs to resolve their health problems that cannot be resolved locally. - Jun 2013
Affordable. Not sure about quality. - May 2013
Medical care can be very good, but you better speak Spanish if you just walk into a hospital. High-quality, English-speaking professionals can be found with some digging. - Jan 2012
It seems everyone I know gets sick from food poisoning, one or more times, from minor to severe vomiting and diarrhea. No maleria risks in the city but if you travel to the jungles in the Orient region, then beware of a much worse problem with mosquitoes. Dental care is reasonably good and less expensive than at home. My guess is many medical professionals got their training in the US or Europe. - Jan 2012
The quality of medical care available is good. I have a friend who had a baby here. I have a great GYN. I had an MRI for a herniated disk but went back to the U.S. for the surgery. - Aug 2011
