Analysis of the Health Network of Metropolitan Lima Against Large-Scale Earthquakes

Abstract

Peru is a highly seismic country located in the Ring of Fire, making it vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunamis. In the present work, we examined Lima’s health system capacity from three different and complementary points of view. We first analyze the Hospital Treatment Capacity (HTC) of 41 hospitals of II and III categories from EsSalud and MINSA in Lima, Peru. Second, we computed the hospitals’ coverage area and their citizens’ health demand as the aftermath of an earthquake of 8 Mw magnitude. Finally, an accessibility simulation to reach the hospitals was performed, taking into account real traffic jams conditions and street degradation. This document aims to provide elements for the strengthening of the Peruvian fragile health system.