Responding to the sexual and reproductive health needs of Venezuelan migrant women in Lima

Abstract

Objectives. To present and analyze the Peruvian health system's response to the sexual and reproductive health needs of Venezuelan women living in the city of Lima, Peru, and to identify some of the reasons underlying this response. Methods. Information was collected through semi-structured, in-depth telephone interviews with 30 Venezuelan women, 10 healthcare workers, and two Ministry of Health officials. Results. Based on the experiences of Venezuelan women who sought care through these services during 2019-2020 and the perspectives of healthcare personnel and health authorities, we present an analysis of the public health services' capacity and limitations in meeting the sexual and reproductive health needs of this population. Migrant women's testimonies reported a positive experience with a health system that, despite shortcomings, responds to the most common sexual and reproductive health needs. These perspectives parallel the testimonies of healthcare personnel and authorities who emphasized the existence of priority policies for sexual and reproductive health care. Conclusion. This study shows how a national priority framework (reducing maternal mortality), accompanied by operational mechanisms for social protection (such as the Comprehensive Health Insurance program), represent complementary instruments that have a positive impact on and extend benefits to migrants, even though this population was not considered when designing these policies.