Peru's Health Min: This is not the best time to go on strike

Peru

Peru's Health Minister Pilar Mazzetti. Photo: Ministry of Health

13:28 | Lima, Aug. 18.

Health Minister Pilar Mazzetti referred to the national strike announced by the Peruvian Medical Federation (FMP) saying that this is not the best time to go on stoppage or strike, given that the country is facing a health emergency because of the novel coronavirus.

"It grieves me that you take this type of measures and I think this is not exactly the best moment to experience difficulties in the healthcare delivery process. What we most need is the entire health personnel. I believe that this moment (of cessation of work) can be resumed later," she said.

The top health authority mentioned that everyone is having a very difficult time and that it grieves her that her colleagues have opted for "measures of this type" amid a pandemic.

"We understand the circumstances. Everyone is facing problems and financial issues. Debts to health workers are quite significant. Although there were some problems with the granting of the promised grants, they have been paid progressively," she explained. 

The Cabinet member reported that her sector has submitted a budget request to the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) so that 165,000 health workers can receive the June grant payment. 

"We hope the transfer will be ready on Friday," she stated.

Additionally, Mazzetti affirmed that efforts are underway to regularize the contracts to third parties, as well as to workers under the Service Administrative Contract (CAS) regime, and the payment of outstanding debts in every region. 

The Peruvian Medical Federation (FMP) on Monday announced a 48-hour strike nationwide for August 26 and 27, claiming that the Government has failed to come out with concrete solutions to their demands submitted to the Ministry of Health (Minsa).

(END) KGR/RRC/RMB/MVB

Published: 8/18/2020