National Agreement Executive-Secretary Max Hernandez has reported that the Government managed to reach an agreement with private clinics on the rates to provide care for patients diagnosed with COVID-19.
In remarks to America TV on Wednesday night, Hernandez said that —during the dialogue held by both parties— a flat rate of S/55,000 (about US$15,633) was raised for as long as each treatment lasts.
"It may be a day or two or even beyond 30 days; the ongoing review was also considered in order to find out how to stratify more efficiently, depending on the stay. A standard contract has been sought that allows all clinics to be articulated," he indicated.
Likewise, he indicated that the Archbishop of Lima, Monsignor Carlos Castillo, as well as representatives of the Ministries of Health and Economy-Finance also participated in the event.
President's request
Earlier on Wednesday, President Martin Vizcarra affirmed that an agreement with private clinics was expected to be reached in 48 hours for the care of COVID-19 patients in exchange for a reasonable rate, which would be assumed by the Peruvian Government.
Within this framework, the Government intended to set an adequate rate for patients who cannot be provided care at public health care facilities and —therefore— must go to private establishments.
"The offer and counteroffer have been made, and we have been in this negotiation for so long. We are in this situation that is already reaching the limit," the Head of State noted after lamenting the cases of people whom some clinics have charged extremely-high rates.
"We are going to wait 48 hours to reach an agreement, let's hope it will be so, but if that is not the case —and thinking about health and lives— we will invoke Article 70 of the Constitution," he added.
Said article claims that the right to property is inviolable, the State guarantees it, and no one can be deprived of it, except —exclusively— on grounds of national security or public need determined by law.
National Agreement
The
National Agreement Forum is the space for dialogue and institutionalized agreement as a body for monitoring and compliance with State policies of the National Agreement. It sees the participation of the Government, the political parties that have representation in Congress, and organizations representing the civil society at the national level.