PACED in Ecuador: Visit to the San Camilo Hospice

San Camilo was established in 2014 under the auspices of the private foundation FECUPAL, which is dedicated to developing palliative care in Ecuador. Through close cooperation between the hospice and the foundation, San Camilo can address questions of organisation and funding flexibly, always guided by the real needs of patients.

The hospice is named after St. Camillus, the patron saint of the sick and healthcare workers. Brother Alberto Redaelli, a member of the Order of Saint Camillus, serves as its director. Together with Lucía Maldonado, Executive Director of FECUPAL, he gave Félix a tour of the facility.

Structure and Services

Capacity: 25 patients
Staff: Approximately 60 people, including four doctors and eight nurses
Additional services: home-based palliative care, volunteer service, social and psychological support services

At the entrance, visitors are greeted by a quote from palliative care founder Cicely Saunders: ‘You matter because you are you. You matter to the last moment of your life, and we will do all we can, not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.’

Since its opening, the hospice has cared for over 3,000 patients, and the outreach team has made around 22,000 visits.

The hospice operates 24/7 and is designed to meet the needs of both patients and their families. It features a spacious prayer room and a farewell room where an electronic candle is lit in memory of each departed patient.

Some hospice services require payment due to Ecuador’s specific social insurance and tax systems; part of the cost is covered by insurance, while the rest is usually borne by the patient’s family.

Space Designed with Care

San Camilo is a beautiful, modern three-story building. The first two floors accommodate patient rooms and shared lounges for patients and families, while the third floor houses administrative offices and classrooms for educational events. The hospice also features an on-site laundry, kitchen, mini hair salon, and pharmacy where essential medications and supplies can be purchased.

Patients stay in private or semi-private rooms with views of the mountains, the Cotopaxi and Pichincha volcanoes, and a well-maintained garden.

The rooms feature functional hospital beds, centralised oxygen supply, and suction systems. Family members can visit at any time of day or night, as each room includes comfortable armchairs. For hygiene care, fixed bathrooms and mobile bathtubs are available. The staff uses mobile lifts to assist with moving heavier patients. Physical therapy is offered in the rooms or a dedicated therapy department.

During the day, volunteers are a frequent and welcome presence. Their branded vests and name badges distinguish them from other visitors. Félix met Paulina, who delivers a ‘joy cart’ filled with small gifts and treats for the patients.

Challenges and Issues
The hospice maintains high standards of care yet encounters numerous challenges prevalent throughout Ecuador’s palliative care system:

• Shortage of trained professionals
• Limited public awareness of palliative care services
• Inadequate integration of palliative medicine into the national healthcare system
• Challenges in collaborating with government agencies and obtaining funding

Solutions from the Local Team

• Developing educational infrastructure: FECUPAL operates its online training platform for palliative and healthcare specialists.
• Active engagement with the state (GR): Advocating for palliative care through dialogue and participation in health policy development

Only palliative care departments in hospitals are available in other Ecuadorian cities, such as Cuenca and Guayaquil. Similar standalone facilities are also rare in neighbouring Latin American countries. This makes San Camilo Hospice truly unique and valuable — not only for Ecuador but for the entire Latin American region.