The candidate for the Citizen Revolution (RC), Luisa González, stated that if she comes to power, in a hundred days she will supply the basic list of medications to public hospitals and the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute (IESS), which she will strengthen with the creation of jobs. She also proposed hiring two thousand more doctors, with an emphasis on mental health treatment, and putting the operating rooms back into operation to end the waiting list “so as to be able to provide dignified care to citizens.”
González mentioned chronic childhood malnutrition and the importance of ending the problem through prevention by identifying pregnant women and minors at risk, which according to her, has an approximate cost of 60 million dollars, to be financed through the budget under execution, which is 1,130 million dollars.
In relation to education, González stated that she will declare schools as safe zones, with cameras, police and patrols, offer students breakfast, supplies and uniforms, so as to boost the community economy.
Regarding foreign policy, González said that her relationship with Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua “will be within the context of the United Nations convention and the respect for self-determination.” She added that the needs for Ecuador to open markets and expand cooperations, especially in terms of security, is within her competence, for which she will promote rapprochement with the United States, Colombia and the European Union.
On the other hand, candidate for the National Democratic Action alliance (ADN) Daniel Noboa offered a $60 bonus for pregnant women, a national daycare system to help working mothers, pediatric care, and a complete school breakfast and lunch to address malnutrition.
He also proposed giving tax incentives to companies that hire graduates from public universities, although he could not say how much budget he would allocate to his plans to strengthen education in general.
Both candidates will face each other at the polls on October 15th in a runoff that experts have predicted will be close, although the impact of this debate may change some opinions.
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