One in Ten Ecuadorians Suffer from A Rare Disease, Challenges Medical System

DIAGNOSING AND TREATING RARE DISEASES IN ECUADOR A CHALLENGE FOR THE MEDICAL SYSTEM

ELUNIVERSO.COM (MACHINE TRANSLATED) In Ecuador, more than 400 rare or infrequent diseases have been identified, so called because they have a low incidence, says geneticist Milton Jijón of the Galenix External Consultation Center in Quito.

The problem lies in the difficulty of diagnosing them in the country. Added to this is the high cost of treatments and the difficulties in accessing medicines in the public health network. “Clinical geneticists usually assume the diagnosis, but not only them. There are also many specialists: neurologists, endocrinologists, surgeons … “, says Jijón.

This specialist, who participated in the studies of the state plan Manuela Espejo that analyzed the causes of disabilities in the country, adds that in hospitals there is no protocol and a form of behavior for these patients, once they are approached by the geneticist, immediately be attended by the group of specialists: “What happens with them is that they look for the shift with a specialist, after months with another, then with another and after a year or two has just completed the initial study ”

SAFETY, HEALTH, SECURITY IN ECUADOR – THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ 100 POINTS TO CONSIDER BEFORE MOVING OR RETIRING IN ECUADOR

The World Health Organization (WHO) points out that there are about 8,000 rare diseases that affect 7% of the world population. The incidence of these diseases can be higher or lower and varies depending on the country or region. Rare and detected cancers at early ages are part of this field, says Jijón.

The United Nations Organization created last year the Committee for Rare Diseases to make these pathologies visible.

The National Institute of Human Rights issued a defense resolution in 2016 urging the Ministry of Public Health (MSP), the Assembly and the private sector to guarantee the rights of those who suffer them. Since last May, the Medical Genetics Center operates at the General Teaching Hospital of Calderón of the MSP in Quito.

Lucia Cedeño, coordinator of the Alliance for the Right and Protection of Health, said in a program of the Ombudsman’s Office in November 2016 that prevention is the key to an early diagnosis . “Multiple sclerosis is attended by the neurologist. but it affects the sight, the psychological part. Then priority should be given to the risks. By having an inflammation of the nervous system, if you do not use corticosteroids immediately, the person can go blind. READ FULL ARTICLE