Bolivia’s health system is on the brink of crisis due to huge shortages of imported medicines, medical associations warned Friday.
Bolivia is facing a serious financial crisis, characterized by the lack of currency associated with a decrease in gas exports.
“For patients suffering from serious illnesses, there are no medication. Nor the absolutely necessary ‘, denounced Fernando RomeroPresident of the Association of Doctors of the capital La PAS.
The citizen’s lawyer had intervened in mid -April, warning that nine of the country’s 20 major public hospitals had insufficient reserves of drugs.
THE RolantoPresident of the Kotsambaba Medical Association said that the price of some drugs had increased by more than 200%, denouncing shortages of basic supplies to hospitals, including catheters and anesthetic. ‘I have never seen such a difficult situation before’he said.
Drug importers are forced to switch to the black market, where the US dollar is exchanged with 16.5 Bolivian (instead of 6.97 which is the official exchange rate), making imported products much more expensive.
Fernando Romero points out that the state has drawn up budgets for drug supplies under the official exchange rate, so suppliers no longer respond to bids invitations.
Source :Skai
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