The Ministry of Public Health, led by Vice President María José Pinto, presented the Plan for Prevention to Eliminate the Incidence of People Injured in Traffic Accidents on April 16.
The plan was developed by several departments within the ministry in response to high rates of traffic accidents in the country. These incidents are described as a persistent public health problem, with significant numbers of injuries and deaths each year. The ministry said this situation affects the availability of healthcare services and places a considerable burden on the health system.
According to officials, the ministry has a responsibility to lead actions that promote and prevent health issues related to external causes and preventable events. The plan aims to guarantee comprehensive healthcare for those affected by traffic accidents through five main objectives: contributing educational practices to reduce fatalities and injuries; preventing emergency service saturation; raising awareness about individual health consequences; promoting self-care practices; and strengthening citizen participation.
Christian Arias, director of Risk Management and Damages at the Ministry of Public Health, said, “El propósito es reducir el impacto negativo de los accidentes en la atención de salud, considerando que estos eventos causan un alto nivel de morbilidad, discapacidad y saturación de los servicios de salud, principalmente en los hospitales públicos.”
Data from the ministry’s Statistics Directorate shows that hospital discharges due to traffic accidents doubled over five years—from 8,784 in 2020 to 16,978 in 2025. The most affected age group is between 20 and 39 years old. Provinces with higher concentrations of emergency care include Guayas, Pichincha, Manabí and Azuay.
The Public Service for Payment of Traffic Accidents (SPPAT) confirmed its integration into this effort for broader coordination with other institutions. Officials say they aim to develop prevention activities together with the Ministry of Public Health.
