Ecuador officially adopts family planning
Ippf/Whr News Service. International Planned Parenthood Federation. Western Hemisphere Region 2(1): 16
1974
PMID: 12276787 Document Number: 373932
The Ecuadorian government has officially announced its plan to extend family planning services to all citizens via its public health service. This September 21 announcement by Raul Maldonado Mejia, Minister of Public Health, indicated that family planning will be integrated into health services on the basis of the following principles: 1) Ecuadorian family planning programs are a medical action aimed at improving the health of mothers and children; 2) family planning must be established as part of a total health service for in this way it can be available to all people; 3) the government, through the Ministry of Health, will control and supervise all family planning services that are provided by private and public organizations; 4) information and education is recognized as an important requisite that allows women to freely and responsibly seek out these services; 5) family planning programs will include in their efforts the early detection of gynecological cancer and the study and treatment of the infertile couple; and 6) the national government can conduct family planning programs with the criterion of responsible parenthood through its own technical facilities or through qualified institutions and organizations.