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Insufficient funds for Peru doctors - Strike blamed for death of 2 patients

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

Peru's Minister of Economy and Finance, Luis Valdivieso, confirmed on Tuesday evening that it would be impossible to grant the Peruvian Medical Federation's requests to raise doctors' salaries.

Valdivieso explained it would require at least 300 million soles to meet this demand and assured the government did not have the funds.

"The demand put forth by doctors is 300 million soles, approximately $100 million. With $200 million I could raise the wages of the entire public sector," said the head of the Economy and Finance Ministry.

Stating that an entire remunerative structure had to be changed, Minister Valdivieso explained raising wages would be a gradual process.

"We need time," said Valdivieso, explaining the ministry had told doctors they would analyze the situation.

"I know there is a need for things to come out as soon as possible. We are evaluating how that can be done, but at this time it is impossible to meet that demand 100 percent."

Casualties

While the strike began on Monday and it has been reported that the majority of doctors are remaining at their posts, patients are beginning to blame medical staff for deaths.

Doctors were blamed for the death of Jorge Chavez, a 68-year-old man that jumped from one of the top floors at Rebagliati Hospital in Lima.

Witnesses claim Chavez committed suicide after being ignored by doctors.

The family of Audencio Navarro Vásquez, a 26-year-old man that had been admitted to Las Mercedes Hospital in the province of Chiclayo, say he died after seeking doctor's help and being ignored.

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# mericorps says :
17 September, 2008 [ 19:49 ]

I do not support a patient in need going without service, so I only support doctor slow-downs, not strikes.

However, I do not see any mention of the fact that most government employeed doctors that work in the rural provinces have not been paid regulalry in 3 years, and most have not been paid at all in the last 90 days, one of the major instigators of this strike, the government's failure to pay their employees.

I know LIP only translates articles, but maybe they can spend some more time seeking more balanced and complete articles..not just propaganda pieces.

# Splaktar says :
18 September, 2008 [ 10:40 ]

These strikes are very much needed and important.  Doctors have been underpaid and abused here in Peru for decades and they deserve to be paid fairly and provided with proper safety materials.  The current medical situation in public Peruvian hospitals is a crime.  Change needs to happen now and not be delayed by more gov't excuses.

I fully support this strike and hope that the gov't can do what has been needed for many years.

# USA RULEZ!! says :
18 September, 2008 [ 11:30 ]

It is socialized medicine that is the crime here. These hospitals should be shut down.

# SA says :
18 September, 2008 [ 20:57 ]

I wonder how Alan would feel if he did not receive his $18,000.00 per month salary for three months?????

# Splaktar says :
18 September, 2008 [ 22:34 ]

I'm pretty sure Alan's salary is much less than $18,000 per month.  His official yearly salary is a good deal lower than $100k.

Also it should be noted that emergency rooms are staffed and the strike mostly only effects consultations and non-emergency work.