LIMA, July 9 (NNN-ANDINA) — The Peruvian Government on Saturday declared a national health emergency due to the unusual increase in Guillain-Barré Syndrome cases —a measure that will be in force for 90 days.
According to Supreme Decree No. 019-2023-SA, published in the Official Gazette El Peruano, the declaration of emergency will be valid for a period of 90 calendar days given the unusual increase in said cases.
Guillain-Barré (Ghee-YAN Bah-RAY) syndrome (GBS) happens when a person’s own immune system harms their body’s nerves. This harm causes muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis.
Early symptoms of GBS include weakness and tingling. People with GBS usually first feel these symptoms in both legs. Some people then have weakness and tingling in their arms and upper body.
The weakness can increase until people cannot use some muscles. In severe cases, people can become paralyzed.
The health declaration corresponds to the Ministry of Health and the National Health Institute to carry out the immediate actions stipulated in the Action Plan titled “Health Emergency due to Unusual Increase in Guillain-Barré Syndrome Cases at the National Level” which, as Annex I, will become part of this Supreme Decree.
It specified that the list of goods and services, which must be contracted to face the health emergency, is recorded and detailed in Annex II titled “List of Goods and Services,” which is part of part of the current Supreme Decree.
Contracts carried out under the protection of this decree must be used exclusively for the purposes established therein, under responsibility.
The balances of the resources resulting from the contracting of goods and services established in Annex II of this Supreme Decree may be used within the emergency declaration period indicated in Article 1 to contract goods and services on the same list, as long as the required quantities could not be completed.
It added that, once the declaration of a health emergency has concluded, the participating entities, established in Article 2, must report on the activities and resources executed within the framework of the Action Plan “Health Emergency due to Unusual Increase in Guillain-Barré Syndrome Cases at the National Level.”
Similarly, they must report on the results achieved, within the framework of the provisions of Article 24 and those of the rules of Legislative Decree No. 1156 —a legislative decree that dictates measures aimed at ensuring public health service in cases where there is high risk or damage to the population’s health and life.
The latest Supreme Decree was signed by the Pres Dina Boluarte, and Health Minister Cesar Vasquez. — NNN-ANDNA
