The Ministry of Health (Minsa) articulates efforts and trains personnel at Regional Health Directorates (Diresa) and Regional Health Management Departments (Geresa) for effective implementation of the national plan to combat coronavirus (COVID-19) in Peru, the sector's head Elizabeth Hinostroza said on Friday.
In a press conference —after
the confirmation of the first COVID-19 case in the South American country— the government official claimed that the training program prioritizes regions like Arequipa, Cusco, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Loreto, San Martin, Tumbes, and Ucayali, where suspected cases have been reported but none has been confirmed. However, it will reach all regions in the country.
Minister Hinostroza explained that the training emphasizes essential aspects such as accurate diagnosis of infection, attention protocol for confirmed cases, as well as epidemiological surveillance and dissemination of preventive measures like hand-washing, healthy diet, physical activity, and other measures to enhance the immune system.
She also affirmed that —even though the country's health system is decentralized— Minsa —as the regulatory body that is responsible for the national health policy— is monitoring the implementation of the national plan to combat COVID-19, which not only involves health, but other sectors.
The cabinet member noted that Peru is adopting criteria, which are more stringent than those recommended by the
World Health Organization (WHO) to identify the virus and prevent its spread.
It must be noted that the number of coronavirus cases has surpassed 100,000 worldwide with at least 3,200 deaths.
(END) LZD/MAO/RMB/MVB
Published: 3/6/2020