Noboa promises health care and infrastructure improvements in annual State of the Nation address

In his annual Report to the Nation, President Daniel Noboa promised to focus attention on public health and highway projects in the coming year while maintaining a “firm hand” against criminals. During his 34-minute address he announced the establishment of the Public Company of Supply, Infrastructure and Logistics in Health to confront a shortage of medicine and the poor physical condition of hospitals and clinics. President Daniel Noboa is greeted by National Assembly President Niels Olsen before his Report to the Nation speech. Noboa said negotiations are underway with providers to “bring first-class medicines, approved by the United States’ FDA,” to Ecuador. “We will do this transparently, working with other governments and companies,” he said, adding that the “mafias” that have profited from corruption in the past will “play no role” under the new plan. Noboa listed several transportation projects the government will fund in 2025 and 2026, including expansion of Quito’s Metro subway and the beginning of work on the Nobol-Progreso freeway in Guayaquil. The president’s emphasis on health care and transportation follows recent polls showing growing public dissatisfaction with his leadership in health care, education, and infrastructure. A survey taken by the Center for Research and Specialized Studies has Noboa’s approval dropping from 59.5% to 26% since his election a year ago. The poll also found public displeasure with frequents states of emergency and lack of progress in fighting crime. In his speech, which was backed by videos and statistical slides in the National Assembly chamber, Noboa said there would be no “let up” in his fight against criminals and criminal organizations. “Our approach to date was the right thing to do,” he said.. “To all the mafias that waited to see a tired president, I say you are going to get tired before I do,” he added. Noboa claimed that under his management, the country’s economic condition has improved. “We have recovered the world’s confidence, reducing the country’s financial risk to 400 points. We have also strengthened our non-oil balance and managed to reactivate sales and economic activity throughout the country,” he said. He also said that 22,000 infrastructure jobs have been created in the last year. Following Noboa’s speech, National Assembly President Niels Olsen delivered the Assembly report, saying that the legislature is maintaining a “responsible” relationship between the functions of the state during at a “profound institutional moment.” “While we recognize the progress we have made, we are also explaining decisions to the people, assuming the responsibility of our role and clearly saying where we are going,” Olsen added. The post Noboa promises health care and infrastructure improvements in annual State of the Nation address appeared first on CuencaHighLife.