Ecuador: public health genomics.

Ecuador has a heterogeneous population of almost 14 million people and a complex health care system provided through provincial and national health programs by government and private hospitals. There are public health facilities at regional and territorial level. Ecuador has a small cadre of genetic professionals that provide clinical genetic services in a few private medical centers in the main cities. Prenatal screening is offered exclusively in a few individual hospitals, with variable uptake as part of prenatal care. Surveillance of the effect of prenatal screening and diagnosis on the birth prevalence of congenital anomalies is limited by gaps and variations in surveillance systems. Newborn screening programs are almost inexistent. There is broad variation in optional participation in laboratory quality assurance schemes, and there are no regulatory frameworks that are directly pertinent to genetic testing services or population genetics. Health technology assessment in Ecuador is conducted by a diverse collection of organizations, several of which have produced reports related to genetics. Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.