Peru faces insulin crisis as patients demand answers amid procurement delays

Peru is grappling with a critical insulin shortage, raising alarms among patients with type 1 diabetes who rely on the medication for survival. Patient advocacy groups are urgently seeking a meeting with EsSalud, the national social health insurance provider, to address immediate access issues and the implementation of clinical treatment guidelines.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health, through its National Center for Supply of Strategic Health Resources (Cenares), faces significant delays in its procurement processes. The interruption of insulin supply poses severe risks, potentially leading to diabetic ketoacidosis, hospitalization, and even death for thousands of individuals.

Patient organizations, including the NGO Lucas, the Juvenile Diabetes Association of Peru, and DM1 Peru, have formally requested meetings with EsSalud's General Management. They aim to discuss timely access to analog insulins, ensure consistent supply, and promote uniform application of treatment guidelines across all EsSalud facilities. Despite these efforts, the organizations report receiving no formal response and express frustration over the lack of transparency and dialogue.

Mónica Portal, president of NGO Lucas, stated, "Everything is secret, and they don't face us. We don't know about their processes... We have requested meetings, and nobody receives us." EsSalud has previously assured the public of guaranteed insulin supply, but details on stock levels and distribution remain unclear. The current situation is further complicated by the head of EsSalud dismissing calls for an institutional state of emergency, despite acknowledging internal crises related to supply and hospital management.

“

Todo es secreto y no dan la cara. No se sabe de sus procesos… Hemos pedido reuniones y nadie nos recibe