Analysis of changes in public spending on health in Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objectives. To analyze changes in public spending on health in Peru during the covid-19 pandemic. Methods. Descriptive study, cross-sectional. Health expenditure was analyzed through the budgetary execution of the Health Function in the period 2019-2022. This was disaggregated by type of expenditure, level of government, source of financing, budget category and generic expenditure. Results. Health spending increased by 28.1%, 38.7% and 33.9% in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively, compared to 2019. Specific spending on covid-19 accounted for 23.5%, 27.5% and 14.7% of health spending in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. During the pandemic, health expenditure was financed mainly by regular resources and official credit operations, and was spent mainly on personnel and social obligations, administrative services contract and medical supplies. In addition, spending on budget programmes was reduced, affecting up to 9 programmes. Conclusions. Public spending on health increased significantly during the pandemic. This responded to a contingent and temporary demand, so it would not be sustainable after the National Health Emergency, if structural changes are not made in health financing.