Many of Peru’s poor, especially those living in dense cities, still lack the means to buy basic medicine. Rural communities, particularly for indigenous peoples, have very limited access to health care.
Through our local partner Volunteers for Inter-American Development Assistance Peru (VIDA Peru), we provide access to medicine and supplies to hospitals, clinics, nutritional centers, children’s homes and homes for the elderly.
Working in Peru since 1989.
Americares is providing surge medical support in Peruvian health facilities overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to surge support, and in collaboration with local partner VIDA Perú, Americares began operating mobile medical clinics on Aug. 29, 2020 in communities with high rates of COVID-19 infections to ensure continuity of primary care services for patients and provide COVID-19 testing and referrals. Americares is also providing critically needed protective gear, training in infection prevention and control and disaster preparedness, and emotional support for health workers in Lambayeque, Lima and Piura to ensure they can continue their lifesaving work.
Americares staff in Peru provided 1,901 outpatient consultations and screened 1,906 patients for COVID-19 at supported health care facilities over the course of the last week. As of February 11th, Americares has provided 32,240 outpatient consultations and screened 29,223 patients. Additionally, Americares psychologists provided 103 mental health consultations. Since the mental health professionals began work in December, they have provided 1,096 mental health consultations.
Americares is working in close coordination with the Peruvian Ministry of Health, the United States Agency for International Development and local partners, including VIDA Perú, to respond to the crisis.
Americares has responded to other emergencies in Peru, including the 2007 earthquake, the 2017 floods and the severe weather of 2018—delivering more than $9 million in aid between these responses, which included both product support to health facilities and direct patient care.