on Saturday joined by an administrative and assistance team to meet with region Governor Elmer Caceres Llica and make the necessary amendments to improve the care of COVID-19 patients and —at the same time— strengthen the first level of care to detect and treat the disease in a timely manner.
Within this framework, Mazzetti mentioned that 100 centers have been inaugurated which will serve citizens in the areas with the highest influx. "I don't mean hospitals, but primary care level (establishments), which are the most important means to contain the spread," she stated.
Likewise, the Cabinet member recalled that —in the midst of the pandemic— the rules that hospitals usually follow cannot be applied. If there is a free space in any health facility, it must be occupied to serve patients.
"In the past, care standards used to be met; now doctors and nurses are working beyond their capacity, as around 40% of health personnel are not working. Besides, the demand has risen from 300 to 400%. I understand that there are many difficulties, but these are due to the tremendous saturation of services," she added.
During the meeting with the Arequipa Governor Elmer Caceres Llica and regional COVID-19 Command head Dr. Gustavo Rondon, Minister Mazzetti called for unity in order to properly execute the budget, provide stability to the officials responsible for the management and set aside any differences that
do not contribute to stopping the increase in infections.
For his part, Prime Minister Cateriano highlighted the Executive's effort to mitigate and control the pandemic. The Cabinet chief also pointed out that President Martin Vizcarra's administration has an absolute democratic and pro-dialogue vocation.