Andina

Peru and Germany agree to enhance 137 health facilities

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) signed an inter-institutional cooperation agreement. Photo: Minsa

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) signed an inter-institutional cooperation agreement. Photo: Minsa

14:05 | Lima, Aug. 22.

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) signed an inter-institutional cooperation agreement that will allow the improvement of 137 health establishments and the strengthening of primary care for the benefit of indigenous populations in San Martin and Ucayali regions, which are currently fighting against COVID-19.

"Peru owes a debt to indigenous or native peoples in the face of this huge threat such as COVID-19, which is affecting our most vulnerable population. Thanks to this contribution, we are going to strengthen our work and optimize the care of our communities," Deputy Health Minister Luis Suarez expressed.

The high-ranking official said that thanks to this agreement —whose budget amounts to €1 million— the health establishments serving the indigenous population, as well as rural population centers (64 in San Martin and 73 in Ucayali), will be strengthened with basic equipment, rapid COVID-19 tests, medicine kits, oxygen concentrators, digital thermometers, pulse oximeters and personal protective equipment (PPE).

For his part, the GIZ Resident Director in Peru Ulrich Krammenschneider mentioned the importance of expanding cooperation between the two institutions to a very special field, such as the health sector.

"I am very grateful to be present at the signing of this important agreement, as it will allow us to work in a coordinated manner with the Ministry of Health in the fight against this pandemic," he stated.

With this agreement, staff and community health agents will be trained in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and referral of COVID-19 patients.

The signing ceremony took place in the city of Lima.

(END) NDP/LZD/MVB

Published: 8/22/2020