A new wave of COVID-19 has swept Peru over the past couple of months. An MSF assessment has revealed that in many areas, hospitals are overcrowded and at risk of collapsing under a high case load of patients. The country has recorded the highest excess mortality worldwide in April (per million people) and only around two percent of the population has been vaccinated. The healthcare system is simply overwhelmed and people increasingly struggle to find options for medical care.
MSF has launched an intervention in support of the health authorities in Huaura province, north of Lima, aimed at taking some pressure off the regional hospital in Huacho (the provincial capital) by treating patients who need isolation and oxygen therapy, but whose state is not as critical as to need the services of Huacho hospital.
The approach we adopted is based on a 50-bed structure called “COT” (a Spanish-language acronym for “centre for temporary isolation and oxygenation”), a temporary facility where COVID-19 patients can be isolated and provided with oxygen, in order to prevent their condition from worsening. Our work in this facility is complemented by community outreach, which seeks improve screening and boost early detection.
MSF also support the intensive care unit of Huacho hospital through HR support and logistical and medical supplies.