Andina

Peru: Health Ministry creates working group to monitor oxygen supply for COVID-19 patients

11:26 | Lima, Jun. 8.

A Peruvian Multisectoral Working Group on Monday kicked off its actions to implement, execute, control, and evaluate the process of oxygen supply for public health establishments and isolation centers for treatment of COVID-19 patients nationwide, according to Ministerial Resolution No. 366-2020-Minsa.

This temporary group —which depends on the Health Ministry (Minsa)— will monitor the supply of medical oxygen, receive oxygen consumption reports, and analyze the needs of the establishments that fight COVID-19. To establish this technical team, work meetings were held.

Deputy Minister of Benefits and Health Insurance Victor Bocangel will chair the working group made up of representatives from the Social Health Insurance System (EsSalud), Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games Special Legacy Project, as well as from the health departments of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and National Police.


More than S/100 million (over US$29.15 million) is expected to be invested to increase the corresponding availability and distribution among the country's health facilities.

The regulation mandates that the country's oxygen producers serve —as a priority— the demand from public and private health facilities during the emergency. Within this framework, the use of medical oxygen —with a concentration of not less than 93%— was authorized.

The use of oxygen to treat COVID-19 patients is now a priority over its industrial use, stressed President Martin Vizcarra, noting that the Government has published an urgency decree on this matter.

(END) NDP/RRC/MVB

Published: 6/8/2020