Andina

Peruvian mother of two defeats COVID-19

14:25 | Lima, Jun. 8.

Coughing, respiratory distress, as well as the loss of smell and taste, were the symptoms that led Mrs. Evelina, aged 37, to immediately go to the Peruvian Health Ministry's Primavera Medical Center run by the Directorate of Integrated Health Networks (Diris) in Eastern Lima, where she was diagnosed with COVID-19 and received timely treatment.

This mother, who works selling sweets, completed her period of home isolation and —after receiving a medical discharge— joins the 89,556 Peruvians who managed to beat the new coronavirus after having received treatment at the first level of care —comprised in "The Hour of Primary Care Strategy."

Mrs. Evelina says that —once she was hit by the disease— she became very afraid to show up at the hospital. "I preferred to go to the health center located near my house. I received a great surprise when the doctor treated me free of charge. Thanks to that, I am now fully recovered," she expresses.

Dr. Ana Maria Vasquez —chief physician at Primavera Health Center— explains that the patient was admitted to the hospital on May 21. Following clinical epidemiological criteria, she was diagnosed with COVID-19 and provided treatment. She was also monitored over the phone and received emotional support not only for her, but also for her family.


"For 15 days I could not see my two daughters and that hurt a lot, but —at the same time— they were the main reason for me to continue fighting. When I was discharged, I cried because I knew that I could still see them grow and be with them. The psychologists' support was very helpful," she adds.

The Eastern Lima's Diris has trained doctors from the 31 health facilities located in this jurisdiction in clinical evaluation and standardization of treatment for patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms.

One of Minsa's strategies is to care for people with mild symptoms in order to prevent them from getting worse and reaching a high complexity hospital or even requiring a bed in an Intensive Care Unit.

(END) NDP/RRC/MVB

Published: 6/8/2020