The government of President Daniel Noboa, with support from the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) in Ecuador, has delivered technological equipment to 19 communities along the border and in the Amazon region. This initiative aims to enable community health monitors to report health alerts in real time, which is expected to strengthen the country’s ability to respond to future pandemics.
Led by Vice President María José Pinto, the Ministry of Public Health is implementing the Project for Optimization of Pandemic Response through Committed Communities and Territories in Ecuador (PROTECT). The project introduces Community-Based Event Surveillance (VEBC) across eight provinces. It is coordinated with the Ministries of Environment and Agrocalidad and follows a “One Health” approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental health efforts.
María José Pinto emphasized the government’s commitment to public health at the local level: “Strengthening the health system involves prevention, early detection, and effective coordination among state institutions.”
The distribution of electronic devices will improve communication between local monitors and health centers in provinces such as Carchi, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Morona Santiago, Zamora Chinchipe, Loja, and Sucumbíos. According to Sonia Quezada, PAHO/WHO representative in Ecuador, the donation is valued at $187,425 and targets 11 prioritized cantons with an estimated benefit for about 66,000 residents.
Javier Medina, acting Minister of Environment and Energy, noted that these tools will help optimize early warnings for diseases originating from wildlife via community monitors. He added that they aim to establish a list of prioritized zoonotic diseases for surveillance. “We seek to strengthen all wildlife management activities closely related to issues such as trafficking and illegal possession of wild fauna,” he said.
The national health authority stated: “This project strengthens the Ministry of Public Health because it improves its response capacity from within communities. It connects communities with the formal health system and ensures information reaches those responsible for taking action in a timely manner.”
PROTECT operates in selected communities located in Napo and Orellana (Zone 2), Morona Santiago (Zone 6), Zamora Chinchipe and Loja (Zone 7), Pastaza (Zone 3), Carchi and Sucumbíos (Zone 1). The project receives funding from a pandemic fund shared among seven South American countries. Its goal is to enhance early detection capabilities and emergency response through intersectoral cooperation using a comprehensive “One Health” strategy.
Ecuador’s participation in this project aims to strengthen its disease surveillance systems ahead of possible future pandemics.
