2023-10-06 02:48:00
In Peru there are 17 doctors for every 10 thousand inhabitants. | canva
Like every October 5, Peruvian Medicine Day is celebrated in the country, a date on which tribute is paid to Daniel Alcides Carrión, who voluntarily contracted the disease called Oroya fever or Peruvian wart, with the sole purpose of studying it. and find a cure. However, it is also an important day to make visible the problems that this sacrificial race faces in our society.
Despite progress, the country continues to have a shortage of specialists. According to data from the Ministry of Health (MINSA), there are 17 doctors for every 10 thousand inhabitants, a figure significantly lower than the standard recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), which considers having 43 ideal.
Although the figure is already worrying, it is even more serious in regions. For example, in Piura, Loreto, Cajamarca and Puno, there are only nine doctors for every 10 thousand inhabitants, according to the publication “Human Resources Information in the Peru Health Sector 2021” by the Minsa.
The hospitalization rooms in Piura’s health centers are at capacity.
In this regard, Dr. Hernán Sepúlveda, regional advisor on Human Resources for Health of the PAHO/WHO Subregional Program for South America, highlighted that one of the regional goals is that 80% of health sciences schools reorient their training towards primary health care.
“It is necessary to train human resources for health with a comprehensive vision, committed to the health of the most vulnerable communities and with a strong insertion in the practice of first level care services,” he expressed during his presentation “Human Resources for Health.” Health: The challenges for training” at the launch of the Human Medicine degree at the Universidad Privada del Norte (UPN).
In addition to physical health, mental health specialists also present a great deficit. Currently, there are only around 54 thousand psychologists registered in the College of Psychologists of Peru to serve the 33 million inhabitants in the country. That is, there are 600 thousand inhabitants for each professional; Therefore, the preparation and professionalization of future experts is essential.
“Although it is estimated that more than six million people in the country face mental health problems and need professional care, it is crucial to normalize prevention in this area, since, in many cases, people experience resistance to seeking specialized help, whether out of fear or shame. However, the recognition of symptoms can make a difference in the quality of life of individuals, avoiding unfortunate outcomes,” warns Liseth Paulette Fernández, dean of the Psychology program at the Scientific University of the South.
In the country there is a large deficit of mental health specialists. | canva
In this sense, the representative of the Ucsur revealed that, only between the months of January and July of this year, more than 900 thousand cases related to mental disorders and psychosocial problems were treated in various establishments of the Ministry of Health (MINSA), a figure which shows the growing demand for mental health services in society.
“The lack of health personnel is evident in the prolongation of waiting times for consultations and the limitation in the availability of optimal services, affecting not only the quality of life of people, but also increasing the burden on the healthcare system. health. This translates into higher costs associated with more complex and prolonged treatments, as well as the complication of psychological problems that are not treated in time,” he warned.
What are the most prevalent disorders in Peru? According to the expert, they are anxiety, depression, abuse syndrome, emotional and behavioral conditions, especially in children and adolescents, so the preparation and professionalization of future mental health experts is essential.
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