AGP Executive Report

Regional Emergency: Panama declared a state of emergency after a powerful earthquake injured at least 27 people and damaged hospitals and other facilities; tsunami alerts for Ecuador and nearby countries were lifted. Press Freedom and Health: Expreso has ended its print edition after 53 years. Its publisher alleges government pressure contributed to the closure after the paper investigated business interests tied to Ecuador’s social-security healthcare crisis; Expreso will continue online. Healthcare Protest: Young Ecuadorians called for an October 10 demonstration over medicine shortages, insecurity, poverty and inequality, citing reports of patients dying as hospitals lack medication. Dialysis Access: Cuenca dialysis patients are demanding payment as state debts threaten treatment providers.

Regional Emergency: Panama’s 7.7-magnitude earthquake prompted tsunami warnings for Ecuador’s coast, but the alerts were later lifted; no impact in Ecuador was reported. Healthcare Access: Young Ecuadorians called for an October 10 protest over medicine shortages and other concerns, including reports of patients dying when hospitals lack medication. Kidney patients also warn that state debts to dialysis providers threaten treatment. Food Policy: Health groups, academics and officials in Quito are pressing for rules to curb industrial trans fats, a concern amid the country’s high burden of non-communicable disease.

Healthcare Protests: Young Ecuadorians called for an October 10 demonstration over shortages, insecurity, poverty and inequality. Organizers say patients are dying because hospitals lack medication. Regional Emergency: A magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Panama injured at least 27 people and prompted hospital evacuations. Tsunami alerts included Ecuador, but were later lifted. Food Policy: Health groups, academics and civil society are pressing Ecuador to regulate industrial trans fats, found in some margarines, baked goods and fried foods. Dialysis Care: In Cuenca, dialysis patients are demanding payment of state debts to treatment providers, warning that delayed funding threatens access to care.

Earthquake Alert: A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Panama, prompting tsunami warnings across the region, including Ecuador. Forecast waves along parts of Ecuador’s coast were up to 1–3 feet; the tsunami threat was later reported to have passed. Health Funding: Workers and social groups marched in Quito, Latacunga and Cuenca, calling for more investment in health and education and protection for social security services. Organizers said further protests are planned. Dialysis Care: Cuenca dialysis patients are demanding overdue payments, warning that state debts put treatment providers and continued care at risk.

Health Services: Social collectives, unions and health workers marched in Quito, Latacunga and Cuenca, demanding government action on health and education; organizers say protests will continue. Dialysis Access: Cuenca patients are demanding overdue state payments to dialysis providers, warning that the debt threatens treatment. Cancer Care: Early-onset colorectal cancer rates have risen in Ecuador and other Latin American countries, though researchers say it is unclear how much reflects more cases versus improved detection. PAHO and St. Jude are advancing childhood cancer cooperation, including a medicines-access platform already operating in Ecuador.

Childhood Cancer Care: PAHO and St. Jude are expanding cooperation across the Americas, including a program that helps Ecuador access childhood cancer medicines. Cancer Trends: Early-onset colorectal cancer is rising in Ecuador and other parts of Latin America, though researchers say the causes remain unclear. Dialysis Access: Cuenca dialysis patients are demanding overdue state payments, warning that debts put treatment providers at risk. Emergency Care: A fishbone perforated a rare intestinal pouch in a 73-year-old woman treated in Quito, highlighting a possible hazard after swallowing bones. Road Safety: Several students were injured when an overloaded party bus overturned during a school celebration in Azogues.

Patient Care: Cuenca dialysis patients are demanding payment as state debts threaten treatment providers, putting continuity of care at risk. Climate & Health: A record-strength El Niño is raising alarms over food security and extreme weather, with UNICEF warning that hundreds of millions of children worldwide face severe flooding or drought. Local Environment: Forest fires have burned more than 1,700 hectares across Azuay as dry conditions persist. Health & Wellness: Quito-born Dr. Fabian Carrera’s journey from childhood polio to a career in music therapy highlights how music can comfort patients, including those receiving palliative care. Medical Insight: A rare intestinal pouch was the site of a fishbone perforation in a 73-year-old woman treated in Quito; a review found the pouch in nearly one in five reported small-bowel fishbone perforations.

Climate and Child Health: UNICEF warns that the powerful 2026 El Niño could bring severe floods or drought to children across nearly 100 countries. In Latin America and the Caribbean, 25.8 million children face climate-related risks, with food and water security among the concerns. Care at Risk: Dialysis patients in Cuenca are urging the government to pay private treatment centers, which say they are owed millions. Patients fear the debt could disrupt lifesaving care that cannot simply be postponed. Dengue Alert: The CDC has issued a travel notice for Ecuador amid rising dengue cases. The mosquito-borne illness can cause severe headaches and joint pain. Azuay Fires: More than 1,700 hectares have burned across the province this year. Firefighters say dry vegetation and strong winds are keeping the risk high. Quito Case: Surgeons reported a fishbone perforation in a 73-year-old woman, lodged in a rare intestinal pouch called a Meckel diverticulum. A review found that pouch involved in nearly one in five reported small-intestine fishbone perforations.

Super El Niño health risks: UNICEF warns that the 2026 Super El Niño could bring unusually severe flooding or drought affecting 347+ million children across nearly 100 countries, with record-breaking Pacific ocean temperatures already raising alarms for food and water security. Dengue surge and travel alerts: New CDC data shows dengue cases rising fast in multiple U.S. states, and the CDC issued level-one travel notices for Cuba, Ecuador, and Panama due to increased cases of the mosquito-borne illness. Cuenca wildfire danger: Azuay’s fire season remains intense, with Cuenca reporting 600+ hectares burned and firefighters warning that dry vegetation and wind can turn small agricultural burns into fast-moving blazes. Dialysis payment crisis in Cuenca: Kidney patients and families protested in Azuay demanding overdue payments to private dialysis centers, warning that delayed reimbursement could disrupt lifesaving treatment. Ecuador–India health supply link: Ecuador is in talks with India to expand crude and critical minerals sales and also buy medical products from India’s state healthcare manufacturer HLL Lifecare, including rehydration salts and wound-care equipment. El Niño basics for readers: A guide explains how El Niño works and why it can reshape weather patterns—relevant for Ecuador as climate impacts intensify.

Ecuador–India Health & Resources Talks: Ecuador’s ambassador to India says the countries are discussing higher sales of Ecuadorian crude oil, copper and other critical minerals to India, plus India buying medical products from Ecuador’s state healthcare manufacturer HLL Lifecare. Dialysis Access in Cuenca: Kidney patients in Azuay returned to the Governor’s office demanding the government pay private dialysis centers for services already provided, warning that delayed payments could disrupt lifesaving care. Dengue Alert for Ecuador: The CDC issued a level-one travel advisory for Ecuador (along with Cuba and Panama) as dengue cases rise across multiple U.S. states, with Aedes mosquitoes driving outbreaks. Azuay Wildfire Risk: Cuenca firefighters report more than 1,700 hectares burned across Azuay this year, with dry vegetation and wind keeping the province at high risk despite scattered rain. Amazon Oil vs Indigenous Health: A report highlights how oil drilling plans cover large parts of Ecuador’s Amazon, overlapping Indigenous territories and biodiversity areas—raising concerns for local health and environment. Food Supply Pressure: Organic banana supply remains steady heading into Q4, but Ecuador faces higher sea freight costs and planning challenges as retailers rely on bananas as a dependable staple.

Dialysis Crisis in Cuenca: Kidney patients and families in Azuay staged a sit-in demanding the government pay private dialysis centers for services already provided, warning that delayed payments threaten continuity of lifesaving treatment. Dengue Surge & Travel Alert: New CDC data shows dengue cases rising in multiple U.S. states, and the CDC issued level-one travel notices for Ecuador (and others) due to increased cases. Azuay Wildfire Risk: Cuenca firefighters report more than 1,700 hectares burned across Azuay this year, with dry vegetation and wind keeping conditions dangerous even after scattered rain. Ecuador–India Health Supplies: Ecuador bought $46 million in pharma products from India, including HLL Lifecare items like condoms, rehydration salts, wound care, and neonatal care equipment. Oil & Indigenous Health Concerns: Reporting highlights how Amazon oil drilling plans overlap with Indigenous territories and biodiversity areas, raising long-term health and environmental worries. Sports Medicine in Quito: UFC grappler Jose Aldo returned in Quito for a draw against Marlon Vera, with event coverage noting a local hospital visit for Colby Covington.

Kidney Care Crisis in Cuenca: Renal patients in Azuay returned to the Governor’s office demanding the state pay private dialysis centers for treatments already delivered, warning that unpaid bills could interrupt lifesaving care. Wildfire Risk in Azuay: Cuenca firefighters report more than 1,700 hectares burned across Azuay this year, with dry vegetation and strong winds keeping conditions dangerous despite scattered rain. Oil Auction vs Indigenous Health & Environment: Ecuador announced a new round of remote Amazon oil blocks for end-2026, but Indigenous nations warn the plan overlaps their territories and raises serious legal, environmental, and health risks. Community Rehab Support: A volunteer physiotherapy team is heading to Guatemala to help amputees with prosthetic care and rehabilitation, with links to Ecuador through a prosthetics-and-therapy program. Safety in the Field: Ecuadorian TV reporter and cameraman were injured while covering a landslide in Monterrey, Mexico, highlighting ongoing risks for health and emergency responders during disasters.

Health & Safety in the News: Ecuadorian TV reporter Alma de la Rosa Flores and cameraman Cristo Morales were hit by a vehicle while covering a landslide in Monterrey, Mexico; both reportedly suffered minor injuries and the live broadcast was cut. Public Health & Climate: A report warns El Niño could drive thousands of extra heat deaths across Latin America, with survival hinging on housing, work conditions, and whether cooling stays affordable. Ecuador Health Access: Renal patients in Ecuador are staging a sit-in over lack of dialysis and mounting state debt, demanding continuity of treatment. Ecuador Environment & Indigenous Rights: Ecuador announced a new oil auction for remote Amazon blocks by end-2026, but Indigenous nations say the plan overlaps their territories and carries major legal, operational, and environmental risks. Community & Wellness: A cruise operator says traditional Chinese movement arts expert Awai Cheung will lead Tai Chi and Qigong workshops on voyages that include stops along Ecuador’s coast.

Food & Health Policy: California signed a bill creating a voluntary “not ultra-processed” food label, aiming to help parents spot ultra-processed items more easily; rollout is planned for 2029. Climate & Public Health: A new report warns El Niño could add thousands of heat deaths across Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela, with risk shaped by housing, work conditions, and whether cooling is affordable. Ecuador Health & Care Access: Ecuador’s kidney patients are demanding continuity of dialysis amid shortages and state debt. Dengue Watch: The Dominican Republic reports one of the lowest dengue rates in the Americas (8.57 per 100,000), highlighting the role of community prevention to cut mosquito breeding. Health & Safety in the Field: Ecuadorian TV reporter and cameraman were injured in Mexico while covering a landslide, underscoring risks for journalists and the need for rapid emergency response. Ecuador Governance & Justice: Ecuador’s court approved extradition of Daniel Salcedo and Ronald Herrera to the U.S., tied to the Villavicencio assassination investigation.

Ecuador Health & Safety: Ecuadorian TV reporter Alma de la Rosa Flores and cameraman Cristo Morales were hit by a pickup truck while covering a landslide in Monterrey, Mexico; both reported minor injuries and the live broadcast was cut as emergency services were requested. Public Health & Climate Risk: UNICEF says 25.8 million children across Latin America and the Caribbean live in areas facing very high El Niño-related rainfall risks, with threats to safe water, health care, education, and child protection. Local Health Access: Ecuador’s kidney patients are staging a sit-in over lack of dialysis and a large state debt, demanding continuity of treatment. Health Policy & Environment: Ecuador’s oil auction plans for remote Amazon blocks face pushback from seven Indigenous nations, who warn extraction would bring major legal, operational, and environmental health risks. Regional Health Snapshot: The Dominican Republic reports one of the lowest dengue incidence rates in the Americas (8.57 per 100,000), while Ecuador is listed at 184.66 per 100,000.

Gambling & Health: A senior Latter-day Saints leader said gambling is morally wrong, citing that the industry’s model depends on customers losing money—an angle that matters for mental health and addiction risk. Ecuador Health & Safety (Local): Ecuadorian TV reporter Alma de la Rosa Flores and cameraman Cristo Morales were hit by a vehicle while covering a landslide in Monterrey, Mexico; both were taken to hospital with minor injuries, highlighting the real-world safety risks for media workers during disasters. Ecuador Health & Policy (Local): Ecuador’s National Court authorized extradition to the U.S. of Daniel Salcedo and former agent Ronald Herrera tied to the Fernando Villavicencio assassination case—an indirect but important justice-and-public-safety update. Climate & Child Health: UNICEF warns 25.8 million children across Latin America and the Caribbean face very high El Niño-related risks to safe water, health care, and protection. Dengue Watch (Regional): The Dominican Republic reports low dengue incidence, while Ecuador’s rate is listed at 184.66 per 100,000—useful for regional prevention planning. Oil, Indigenous Rights & Health Risks: Ecuador announced new Amazon oil auction plans for late 2026 despite Indigenous nations rejecting the rounds, raising concerns about environmental and health impacts.