Quito, August 26 (teleSUR-RHC)-- Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa has inaugurated three new health centers in the province of Cotopaxi, which are destined to serve more than 55,000 people.

The health centers were built at a cost of $7 million and serve a part of Ecuador currently at risk of being affected by the possible eruption of the Cotopaxi volcano.

President Correa said these centers are already equipped to deal with any potential emergency related to a possible eruption.

The new health centers are part of a push by the government to improve public health in the country by reducing visits to larger hospitals and placing a greater emphasis on prevention.  These centers, run by the Ecuadorean Ministry of Public Health, are available to all residents free of charge.

“In 2015 alone, 2.5 million dollars have been allocated to health, a human right, and the best possible investment of money,” said Correa.

Since 2007 and the arrival of Correa to the presidency, 46 health centers and 12 hospitals have been built throughout the country, with more set to be opened over the next few years.

"We are continuing on the path so that public services serve as an example, that they are the best, that's the dream that the Citizens Revolution holds," said Minister of Health Carina Vance, referencing the name given to the political process led by President Correa.

These new health centers are deliberately built in areas previously under-served by government services. The three new centers inaugurated Tuesday are located in a part Ecuador where the majority of the residents are indigenous peoples.

President Correa said that these types of services are an example of the commitment the government has toward serving indigenous communities and the reason why the Citizens Revolution continues to enjoy support from the majority of indigenous peoples.

The smaller “type B” health center inaugurated by the president includes outpatient services, dental attention, X-rays, a clinical laboratory, emergency services, clinical psychology, physiotherapy, and a pharmacy.

A second “type B” center and a larger “type C” center were simultaneously unveiled.  The president said they intended to inaugurate all three centers with a visit to the largest one but changed their plans after an opposition political group said they would try to storm the center during the president's visit.