Ecuadorian Government Reduces Wages to Provide Health

Ecuador plans to train over 2000 physicians as part of an intensive health campaign aimed at reducing maternal mortality.

President Rafael Correa announced a reduction of high-ranked public servants salaries – including his own – in order to fund more than two thousand physicians as part of an intensive health campaign aimed at reducing maternal mortality.

“Everything is planned, the problem is the money, this corresponds to current expenditure and things have to be done gradually,” President Correa said Saturday, adding that the country needs more specialists, especially gynecologists, anesthesiologists and nurses.

According to Correa, the 10-15 percent reduction will represent about US$ 21 millions, which will go to the country’s Health Ministry. Those impacted by the cut will include the president, vice president, ministers, members of the Council for Citizen Participation as well as public servants who earn more than US$6,000 per month.

The left-wing leader said that this is only a first phase of his plan, since the country requires an estimated 2,187 health professionals to significantly reduce maternal mortality, which will requires an estimated US$41 million.

During the past decade, Ecuador has seen dramatic improvements to the quality of life of its citizens as well as to the economy of the country under Correa’s “Citizen’s Revolution.”

According to official figures, between 2007 and 2014, more than 1.5 million people had been lifted out of poverty in the South American country.

Taken from www.telesurtv.net/english