Quito, February 23 (RHC-PL) -- Poverty has been visibly curbed and there are great social, political and economic changes underway in Amazonia, President of Ecuador Rafael Correa reiterated over the weekend.

During a meeting with journalists in Pastaza province, the president recalled that that in 2014 the region managed to curb poverty by 16 percent, also reducing extreme poverty to 14 percent.

He said health conditions have also been improved in the area, where indigenous people live protected under their voluntary isolation. He cited as an example that never before there had been in the Amazonia a hospital like that in Puyo, a 125-bed facility which initially offered four basic specialties and now has 17.

"We work day by day for the Homeland in an organized, planned way to achieve good living, but the challenge is to overcome poverty rapidly because the longer it takes to wipe it out, generations will miss enjoying good living, above all in the Amazonia, that is where our national riches come from," said Correa.

The Ecuadorian president recalled that in 2007 there were no health services in the Amazonia, and that situation has changed with an investment of 472 million USD, and the area now boasts 16 hospitals and another 322 health facilities, including doctors' offices.