15:38 | Lima, Aug. 22 (ANDINA).
Peru's new health policy has been designed to ensure the inclusion of all Peruvian policyholders within the public healthcare systems, President Ollanta Humala Tasso has said.
"Our health policy is based on social inclusion because today we need to secure health coverage for all Peruvians, not only in urban areas, but across the nation," the president said Monday during the inauguration of a new emergency medical service facility of the Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen hospital network.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony in Lima's La Victoria district, the head of state explained that this 114-million-sol facility will expand coverage of patients within the Almenara network by 40 percent.
He recalled that thanks to an agreement between representatives of the Comprehensive Health Insurance (SIS) and EsSalud systems, policyholders can receive medical attention from any of these two healthcare providers as part of the Universal Health Insurance (AUS) program.
Moreover, Humala noted that in line with the health reform agenda the government is investing heavily in modern and sophisticated equipment as well as staff training to improve healthcare services in public hospitals and provide better services for patients.
President Humala was accompanied by Labor Minister Nancy Laos, First Lady Nadine Heredia and EsSalud President Virginia Baffigo during his visit to the new hospital facilities.
(END) NDP/EEP
Published: 8/22/2013