Health Care in Peru

Peru has a population of 27.5 million.

Of that number, 51% have health insurance, 32% choose not to have health insurance (although they can afford it) and 17% have no access to health insurance.

Spending on health is growing rapidly, rising 7% to USD 2.5 billion (4.4% of GDP) between 2002 and 2004.
The country has 8,188 health care establishments (run by EsSalud, the armed forces or the private sector) and 43,074 hospital beds.

Health insurance provision is through social security (EsSalud), the Ministry of Health, the armed forces and a private insurance system, the EPS.

Contributions to EsSalud, which are collected by the tax authority, are based on professional earnings and paid by employers, the self-employed and retirees.

For people on low incomes, the government has set up the Comprehensive Health Insurance system (SIS), which finances preventive and curative care for about 33% of the population (2004 figure).