Economy and Finance Minister Waldo Mendoza on Tuesday reported that S/2.7 billion (about US$746.8 million) will be allocated for the health emergency response in 2021.
The above-mentioned amount will be devoted to the purchase of vaccines, remuneration of medical staff, acquisition of personal protective equipment (PPE), and other related expenses.
"Regarding the health emergency response, in general, Article 61 of the
2021 Public Sector Budget Law considers resources from the Contingency Reserve of up to S/2.7 billion (around US$746.8 million) for the acquisition and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine and other expenses required within the framework of the health emergency," Mendoza stated.
"Specifically, the money is expected to cover (the recruitment of) the personnel involved in the care of COVID-19 patients, the costs associated with the purchase and implementation of the vaccine, financial grants aimed at healthcare workers, the acquisition of personal protective equipment (PPE), and other medical supplies," he remarked.
During his presentation before Congress' COVID-19 Emergency Monitoring and Disaster Risk Management Commission, the minister explained that —due to the nature of the Contingency Reserve— this figure may vary according to the needs of the country and the development of the pandemic.
"The Peruvian State's priority is to achieve access to the vaccine with safe and effective supplies so as to immunize 24 million Peruvian adults, that is, those over 18 years of age," the Cabinet member pointed out.
"While resources have been allocated in 2020, the health emergency caused by COVID-19 needs to be further addressed this year," he added.
Purchase of vaccines
(END) CNA/SDD/RMB/MVB
Publicado: 12/1/2021