Inadequate glycaemic control in LMIC: health system failures in Peru

Photo: Socios en Salud, Sucursal Peru ©SES 2014. Worldwide, 80% of patients with diabetes reside in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). These patients are at higher risk of having inadequate glycaemic control and developing serious complications from their diabetes when compared with patients from high-income countries.1 There are multiple causes explaining poor outcomes, one being the failure of healthcare systems to adapt to the necessary challenges of managing patients with chronic diseases. In Peru’s highly fragmented health system, most patients use free or low-cost public health services. In comparison with private healthcare services, those using the public healthcare system report lower satisfaction rates and longer waiting times. Nevertheless, it seems that neither public nor private health systems provide adequate diabetes prevention and management services.2 …