Ambato IESS Hospital Faces Surgery Complaints as It Says Two Operating Rooms Are Active

Patients and families are again raising concerns about surgery access at the Hospital del IESS Ambato.

La Hora reports that several users say they have not been able to access surgical intervention at the hospital despite serious health conditions.

What Users Reported

The report says complaints at the Ambato IESS hospital include lack of medicines, medical appointments and surgery access.

La Hora also reports that surgeries were suspended at the end of last year because of bacteria in the operating rooms, and that, as of January 2026, there had not been explanations about what was happening there.

The outlet says these complaints are not unique to Ambato and are repeated across the more than 100 medical units operated by Ecuador's social security system.

One user, identified as Diana, told La Hora that her 71-year-old grandfather had a heart attack and that the family ultimately paid more than $17,000 for private surgery after problems obtaining the needed care through the IESS system.

She also described a second family case in May. La Hora reports that on May 14 the family was told a grandmother's condition was not an emergency and that she should wait until a June 1 appointment; the family sought outside care and she was operated on as an emergency three days later.

The Hospital's Response

La Hora reports that the institution said the Ambato IESS Hospital uses surgical planning based on medical criteria and clinical priority.

The hospital said it currently has two operating rooms active with continuous 24-hour attention for emergency, urgent and priority cases.

According to La Hora, the hospital also said it had carried out 438 surgical procedures since April 2026, about 65% above the unit's historical average production.

What This Means For Expats

For expats affiliated with IESS or helping family members navigate Ecuador's public health system, the practical takeaway is to document everything: diagnosis, referral attempts, appointment dates and any complaint numbers.

La Hora reports that IESS users can file complaints through the IESS web channel or by WhatsApp at 09 62 53 23 38.

Source: La Hora