The government of President Daniel Noboa Azin announced on March 24 the launch of the national campaign Ruta Dorada: “Pequeños Esfuerzos, Grandes Futuros,” aimed at strengthening prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. The initiative seeks to protect lives before, during, and after illness by ensuring patient-centered care.
The Ruta Dorada strategy is built around five main components: strategic prevention; early and timely detection; quality diagnosis and treatment; specialized hospital infrastructure; and support with palliative care. These pillars are designed to guarantee dignified and prompt attention for those affected by cancer.
Vice President María José Pinto, who leads the initiative as Ecuador’s top health authority, said that addressing childhood cancer involves more than treating a disease—it is about creating opportunities through critical decisions. “La Ruta Dorada no es solo una estrategia, es una forma de entender el cuidado, es reconocer que prevenir empieza mucho antes de un diagnóstico,” Pinto said.
Pinto also emphasized the importance of collective action in tackling cancer. “Estamos construyendo un sistema que no solo cura, sino que acompaña, todos tenemos un rol en esta ruta, hacer lo necesario a tiempo y actuar. Sigamos trabajando juntos porque cuando nos unimos, actuamos a tiempo y cuidamos de verdad… esos pequeños esfuerzos construyen grandes futuros,” she said.
Sonia Quezada from the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (OPS/OMS) in Ecuador highlighted the focus on children’s futures: “Hoy tomamos acción y buscamos que los niños y niñas con cáncer puedan enfrentar la vida en las mejores condiciones, accediendo a tratamiento oportuno sin importar en qué parte del mundo viven.”
Julián Mora Carrera shared his experience as a young cancer survivor at the event in Quito. He spoke about how early diagnosis offers hope through timely treatments: “Mi madre y mi padre han sido importante en el proceso de superar el cáncer y quiero decirles que si es posible salir de esto, valoremos nuestras vidas y nuestras familias.”
The event concluded with an educational fair involving families and members of Ecuador’s National Cancer Commission to promote community vigilance against cancer. The government aims to raise childhood survival rates to at least 60% by 2030 while reducing inequities that have historically affected children.
