Peru: Denial of the right to Maternal and Child Health: Illegal charges for health services

Index Number: AMR 46/006/2007
Date Published: 28 May 2007
Categories: Americas, Peru

Free maternal and infant health care and help with medical expenses is available for the poor in Peru. This is based on the individual's ability to pay. However, in certain areas levels of poverty are such that the whole community is entitled to free medical care. Yet lack of money continues to be one of the main reasons cited for not attending health centres. There is an urgent need to simplify the process and indeed some health professionals have taken initiatives such as using simplified forms.