Peruvian Health Minister Victor Zamora has disclosed that
COVID-19 patients can be treated either in public or private health facilities, thanks to the exchange of services regime approved by urgency decree.
According to the government official, this was one of the main barriers to use the health system to its full potential, but now, thanks to the regulation —published last Monday— it will no longer be an obstacle to the treatment of infected patients.
"It (the regulation) allows the exchange of services, that is to say, the possibility that anyone —regardless of their insurer (SIS, EsSalud, or a private one)— can be treated at a different health center, whether it is a private institution, one run by EsSalud, or a
public hospital," he expressed.
Additionally, the minister referred to the
Intensive Care Units (ICU) beds for COVID-19, saying there are 467 in use and 189 available in public and private healthcare facilities.
"This is an average figure. In some regions, the capacity reaches its limit, while in others, the number of beds available is higher. The possibility of using one bed or another depends on the interaction among health care providers," the cabinet member stated.
"Normally, we do not work together, but now we (public and private sectors) are understanding one another better, considering we have different protocols, records, and forms of payment," he added.
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Published: 4/24/2020