Our goal
Our mission is to improve the circumstances of socially and economically disadvantaged Peruvian children by providing free medical care, in the broadest sense of the word.
Our philosophy
to provide “traditional” assistance to those who ask for it now.
Sustainable by running an economically independent hospital, the combination of traditional and sustainable aid, in which local employees work.
Why is it still needed in Peru?
Political and economic situation in 2023
Peru has been in a deepening political crisis since 2018, where the situation after the failed “coup” in December 2022 by ex-president Pedro Castillo has not made the country more stable. Social unrest and protests not only caused the loss of 80 lives, they did not improve the severe economic crisis caused by the corona pandemic. Inflation rose from 2022% to 6,4% in 20. The number of people living in poverty has risen to more than 30% of the total population.
The health care model
Peruvian health care is divided into two sectors: a public and a private system. The public health system consists of the medical centers of the competent ministry and of the social security (EsSalud). EsSalud health insurance covers approximately 30% of the population. A separate system covers military personnel, police officers and their families. In 2001, the Comprehensive Health Insurance (SIS) was created, initially aimed at supporting the poorest Peruvians. More than half of the population is now members. However, the reforms also led to increasing privatization in health care, which has had disastrous consequences for the resources made available to the public system and social programs. The pandemic has clearly exposed these enormous shortcomings. Health care expenditure in Peru is 5% of GDP (for comparison with countries on the continent, the figures are between 7% and 10%, only Venezuela scores lower at 1%).
Since 2000, PAZ-Holandesa has been undertaking the following activities to achieve its objectives:
● Carrying out (free) surgical projects. This mainly concerns cleft lip and palate operations (cleft lip corrections/closing of cleft palates), burn corrections and urological operations (treating urological birth defects). Laboratory and X-ray examinations are carried out in support of this to minimise the risk of the operation;
●Providing integrated (free) aftercare programs (such as speech lessons, psychological treatments, primary dental care, rehabilitation and incontinence management) and medical consultations or admissions.
● Managing our ' Clinica PAZHolandesa/Tony Molleapaza Rojas' Children's Hospital, Arequipa
● Holding (free) campaigns such as hearing testsThese campaigns are held with the collaboration of our Peruvian medical staff.
- Holding (free) consultation hours on location with our mobile consultation room, PAZMovil The aim is to hold these consultation hours every month, as we have achieved in the past year.
- Providing information and training to all parties in the treatment process (from parents and nurses to physicians). For example, nursing training, surgical technique training, postoperative and burn care training, incontinence management training. Parents are informed and instructed both individually and in parent meetings, regularly participate in their children's therapy hours and psychological support is offered to the parents or the patient;
● Donation projects of basic medical materials, drains (for hydrocephalus), surgical packages, to local hospitals (in Tacna, Juliaca, Puno, Cusco and Arequipa)). In these places, information is also provided and patients for the surgical projects are selected and informed;
● Establishing partnerships with local healthcare institutions, (international) interest groups and other relevant parties, including Health Bridges Int. USA, Caritas Peru, MMI Peru, Arequipa, Quechua Benefit, Arequipa, Rotary Club Arequipa, AMEPEBA and Fundacion FES, Barcelona, The SmileTrain, New York, Wir Helfen, Germany, Hospital Goyeneche in Arequipa, Hospital Honorio Delgado in Arequipa, the Ministerio de Salud of Peru in Arequipa, If Childhelp, Colegio Medico of Arequipa, Hospital Regional in Cusco, Hospital Regional in Tacna, the Instituto de Nino and Universidad Cayatano Herreda in Lima. The various partnerships provide better insight into the problems and needs in Peruvian healthcare and enable joint objectives to be better achieved;
● Establishment of patient associations and self-help groups. The aim is to provide information and knowledge to parents, patients and their caregivers. Also to encourage patients/parents to establish patient associations. Patient associations contribute to collectively discussing the problems associated with the disease, searching for solutions and creating greater awareness and support within the Peruvian community.