Ecuador health ministry extends rural year service application deadline

Ecuador's Ministry of Public Health (MSP) has extended the application deadline for health professionals required to complete their rural year service for the 2026-2027 period. This extension provides an additional opportunity for those seeking to participate in the national rural health program.

The MSP officially announced on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, that the application period for the Rural Health and Social Service Year has been extended by one week. This service, which runs from September 2026 to August 2027, is a mandatory step for various health professionals to gain their professional licensure.

The call for applications is specifically for doctors, nurses, dentists, obstetricians, and midwives. To ensure a valid application, candidates must submit digitized documents including their ID, registered professional degree, habilitation exam certificate, proof of no impediments to public office, and an electronic signature. Foreign applicants also need a valid visa and proof of Spanish language proficiency.

To manage the registration process efficiently and prevent platform overload, the MSP has implemented a staggered schedule based on the last digit of the applicant's national identification number. Applications will be accepted through the Sistema de Gestión de Rurales (SGR) portal between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, with specific dates assigned to each ID digit ending from August 8 to August 12, 2026. All digits can submit applications on August 13 and 14.

Following the registration period, the MSP will publish the list of registered professionals on August 15, 2026. The following day, August 16, applicants can view the available positions, which will detail the operational units, attention level, province, and other necessary information for choosing their assignment. The Rural Health and Social Service Year is scheduled to commence on September 1, 2026.