The Peruvian government plans to increase its health budget by 2.5 billion soles (about US$899 million) a year starting in 2015 to improve public health services across the nation, President Ollanta Humala announced on Monday.
In a speech to the nation marking Peru's Independence Day, Humala said that over the next three years his administration will allocate 8.4 billion soles (about US$3.1 billion) to improve infrastructure and equipment in hospitals nationwide.
"With this ambitious investment program, the total government’s investment in health care will reach 11.8 billion soles (about US$4.2 billion), that is, three times the accumulated investment over the last ten years," the Peruvian leader said.
Likewise, Humala announced the creation of programs such as Esperanza Móvil, MásSalud, Bienvenidos and Aprende Saludable, which will improve the quality of life of Peruvians living in the country's rural areas and reduce malnutrition, especially in children.
As expected every year, on July 28, the head of State addressed the nation to deliver a detailed report on the country’s current situation and reforms that will be considered in the remaining time in office.
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