Migración Interna De Profesionales En El Área De La Salud Y Sus Características Laborales. Cantón Joya De Los Sachas, Año 2026.

Abstract

Abstract: The purpose of this research is to analyze the internal migration of qualified healthcare professionals in the Joya de los Sachas canton as of 2026. We employed an exploratory, descriptive qualitative study, consisting of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 18 key informants primarily young physicians aged 26 to 50. The findings reveal that the primary driver for this mobility is the search for employment and financial security (50%) stemming from a lack of opportunities in their home cities followed by the fulfillment of the mandatory one-year rural service requirement (22.2%). While migration improves local healthcare coverage, the professionals themselves face significant challenges, including excessive patient loads, long working hours, emotional burnout, and a lack of stability particularly among those on temporary or "occasional" contracts. It can be concluded that there is a need for comprehensive public policies aimed at providing permanent job security, improved technical and organizational distribution, and incentive programs to safeguard the sustainability of human talent in the Amazon region.