Ecuador: Clínica Kennedy ordered closed for 60 days for failing to provide emergency medical care

Samborondón Guayas Ecuador
Eluniverso.com reported that on February 15, 2012, a young man was shot during a kidnap express located 200 meters from the hospital Clinica Kennedy Samboronon in Guayaquil. He was thrown from the vehicle and an officer went to the Clinica Kennedy to seek aid of an ambulance. He was told the ambulances were only for those affiliated with Clinica Kennedy with an insurance program. The young man died in the street.

The director of the Guayas Provincial Health Department found Clinica Kennedy Sambornondon negligent in providing medical care to the victim. The clinica (hospital) is ordered to be closed for sixty-days and to pay a fine. The clinica has three days to appeal the decision.

The hospital reported that they were sending an ambulance to the victim but was notified that an ambulance had already arrived from the fire department, and that the victim had died.

The Ecuadorian Constitution in Article 365 indicates in a state of emergency that the Patient Rights and Protection articles 7, 8, and 11 are to be followed and that any medical facility is required to provide timely and free medical assistance to the individual in need of care. Read Article