Prime Minister Mirtha Vasquez on Tuesday affirmed that health and healthcare are a priority in the Public Sector Budget Bill for Fiscal Year 2022, on which —she remarked— work has been done by consensus with Parliament.
In her presentation before Congress' plenary session, the Cabinet chief said the sector will see an increase of 6% in its budget, exceeding S/22 billion (over US$5.5 billion) for the protection and care of both health personnel and patients. It is linked to the acquisition of medicines, oxygen, and all necessary medical supplies.
The high-ranking official stressed the budget will serve to continue hiring first line responders, providing maintenance as well as equipping oxygen plants, in addition to giving continuity to temporary isolation and care centers.
Likewise, Vasquez mentioned that S/3 billion (about US$750 million) has been planned to finance care and pandemic control, taking into account a potential third wave of COVID-19.
To achieve 100% of universal healthcare coverage, an additional S/500 million (about US$125 million) will be allocated to the previous budget. S/1 billion (about US$250 million) will be allocated for strategic investments, followed by S/594 million (about US$149 million) for the third tranche of the salary increase for health professionals and technicians.
"The COVID-19 pandemic poses great challenges in relation to the need to regain economic growth, lost jobs, and reduced family income," she indicated.
For this reason —she stressed— the 2022 budget defines priorities reflected in strategic axes agreed for the first time unanimously with Congress' Budget Committee.
"The Executive Branch shares with Congress this goal of ensuring economic stability which accelerates the recovery of the economy, employment, salaries/wages, and allows a fairer distribution of available resources," Vasquez indicated.
"We will make every effort to improve living standards and access to rights for all Peruvians," she concluded.
(END) VVS/MVB
Published: 11/23/2021