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Bolivia is on high alert after a new dengue outbreak. This week the cases increased, especially in the department of Santa Cruz where the disease is endemic. The Bolivian Ministry of Health reported on the 8th the death of 43 people so far in 2023, 33 of them resided in Santa Cruz. The College of Physicians in this area warns of the lack of means to attend to the health emergency.
So far in 2023, more than 40 people have died from dengue, the viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, in Bolivia, and cases are increasing with about 14,000, only 10,000 in the department of Santa Cruz. There the alert is maximum. Dr. Wilfredo Anzoategui, president of the Santa Cruz College of Physicians, specifies that “150 cases per day have been exceeded, although the fatality rate has not exceeded 0.3 percent.”
To deal with the clinical urgency, the government has a hospital inaugurated weeks ago. “This has made it easier for us to make diagnoses faster, for patients to receive faster care,” and thus be able to provide the treatment that is needed in “the most timely manner,” says Dr. Anzoategui.
Santa Cruz, located in eastern Bolivia, is the most populated and developed region of the country. However, its health system is precarious, which prevents timely care for dengue patients. Its inhabitants feel abandoned by the central government. Traditionally faced with La Paz, the majority of the population Cruceña judges that the authorities of the capital do not do what is necessary to provide the services that the region demands.
“The necessary attention is not being given by the central government. At least 5,000 items (positions) are needed, including health professionals and workers to meet basic, minimum human resource needs” to cover the 15 municipalities that Santa Cruz has, denounces the president of the College of Physicians of Santa Cruz.
The demands are extensive. According to Dr. Anzoategui, it is necessary to build one more hospital, since the population of Santa Cruz now exceeds 4 million inhabitants.
Currently in Santa Cruz massive prevention campaigns are carried out, streets, houses and schools are fumigated.
