Due to a lack of care in their country, some HIV patients, whether they are Ecuadorians, Colombians or Dominicans, have no choice but to migrate to Peru to survive. Treatments have been free for everyone since 2004.
With our correspondent in Lima, Juliette Chaignon.
Four years ago, Yurena, suffering from HIV, no longer have a choice. In Venezuela, his doctor can only prescribe migration. ” The situation was awfulshe says. I spent a year and a half without treatment. There were no more drugs or reagents to do the check-ups. »
After some research and with the help of associations, Yurena migrated legally in Peru for health reasons. For her, examinations and anti-retrovirals are free. Lima has introduced free HIV treatment for everyone. Leaving his country was not easy, but it was the only solution. She testifies: All this sacrifice is for my health. It’s very hard: I’m healthy but I feel so alone here. In my country, the government says it’s getting better. But my daughter who is still there told me otherwise. »
Difficult to access treatment
Yurena is one of 8,000 Venezuelan patients who have come to Peru for treatment over the past five years. However, in order to be treated, it is often necessary to overcome administrative delays and discrimination, even in hospital. As a result, only half of foreign patients take their treatment in Peru.
Free does not provide access, observes Marlon Castillo. This association leader explains that many foreign patients arrive without their papers, which obliges them to pay for tests up to 100 or 200 dollars to have access to free treatment against HIV. ” The associations support them but in the long term it is not viable “, concludes Marlon Castillo.
Several associations have therefore proposed a new law to guarantee the care of foreigners infected with HIV as soon as they arrive in Peru, regardless of their immigration status. According the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS98,000 people were living with the virus in the country in 2021.
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