Andina

Peru President on agreement with private clinics: Health is what matters the most

14:14 | Chimbote (Ancash region), Jun. 25.

The President of the Republic Martin Vizcarra on Thursday affirmed that the Peruvian State's most important and supreme goals are health, Peruvian lives, and human beings, referring to the agreement reached between the Government and private clinics for the care of COVID-19 patients.

"What we have always said is that there is nothing more important in a society, in a country, than human beings, people, health, and lives; those are the supreme goals of the State," he underlined.

"That is why we have to work, and under that concept, yesterday we requested the maximum effort to reach the (level required for the) agreement," he added.

Likewise, the Head of State noted that —last Wednesday, following the Council of Ministers session— a meeting was held with representatives of clinics.


The statesman stressed that representatives of public health care institutions went to talk with their counterparts from private clinics, bringing a Government proposal to guarantee the hospitalization of COVID-19 patients, in case the capacity at public hospitals is not enough.

"We increased the (State-run) hospital offer, but in case it is exceeded, we will rely on the private sector (…)," he said.

Moreover, President Vizcarra remarked that in a context marked by a pandemic —such as the new coronavirus— there are no differences between Social Health Insurance System (EsSalud) and Comprehensive Health Insurance (SIS) policyholders.

He also emphasized that all State-owned hospitals and private clinics have the obligation to care for those who are sick.

Furthermore, the top official indicated that the agreed rate —to be assumed by the Government— was determined based on the technical analysis conducted by the Health Ministry and EsSalud.

Lastly, Mr. Vizcarra pointed out that the agreement is mandatory nationwide and that —given the implications of the COVID-19 virus— a technically-adequate care rate had to be sought.


On this occasion, the President was joined by Ministers Victor Zamora (Health), Martin Benavides (Education), and Social Health Insurance System (EsSalud) Executive-President Fiorella Molinelli.


(END) CVC/MVB

Published: 6/25/2020