There is a country in South America that requires more than 20 minimum wages so that citizens can afford basic care for surgery for health problems. In addition, hospitals in this South American country are reporting shortages in the supply of medical personnel to save lives. For this reason, patients must obtain these themselves.
The questioning of the National Hospital Survey (ENH) stated that on average there are four operating rooms per health center, so patients in this South American country usually face long waiting lists and have to wait several months to access a room. if their operations are not classified as urgent.
YOU CAN SEE: María Corina Machado asks to raise her voice against Nicolás Maduro and denounces “political persecution”.
The South American country where patients need 20 salaries to pay for an operation
In Venezuela's main health centers, citizens have to spend a minimum 81 dollars To gain access to an operation, according to the current monitoring of the (ENH). Taking into account that the minimum wage in the country in February 2024 is 3.6 dollars to cover the basic services of an establishment, 22.5 minimum wage.
This situation arises from the lack of medical supplies in hospitals, forcing patients to obtain the supplies necessary for their operations themselves. This information was released by the organization Doctors for Health in a recent statement.
The company emphasized that the minimum wage in Venezuela is currently not enough to meet the basic needs of workers and pensioners who depend exclusively on this income, even if they receive additional support for food.
There is a shortage of basic equipment for operations in Venezuela. Photo: AFP
YOU CAN SEE: 65% of Venezuelans living in the US would return to their country if Maduro lost the election
Additionally, Doctors for Health stated that the lack of adequate infrastructure in hospitals is exacerbating the problem, mentioning that on average there are only four functional operating rooms per hospital.
This limitation results in significant delays in performing non-emergency procedures, including oncology surgeries, which in turn leads to long waiting lists.
It can take months for patients to undergo surgery if they have all the necessary resources for the procedure.
The minimum wage in Venezuela is 3.6 dollars or 130 bolívars. Photo: AFP
What is the situation of hospitals in Venezuela?
The organization also pointed out that there is an approximate shortage 74% for critical care in public hospital operating roomsThis also includes a shortage of vital equipment such as prosthetics.
On the other hand, the government of Nicolás Maduro attributes the deficiencies in the hospital system to international sanctions and has implemented several programs to revitalize the public health network. However, various NGOs and professional associations in the health sector continue to complain about the lack of materials and low salaries, which do not exceed US$50 per month, often expressing their dissatisfaction by not having the necessary resources protests.
Venezuelans must spend at least $81 to participate in an operation. Photo: AFP
YOU CAN SEE: Michel Bachelet calls for an end to “the dictatorial tendency” in Venezuela
What is the minimum wage in Venezuela?
The minimum wage in Venezuela remains in place 130 bolivars, equivalent to 3.6 dollars, according to the exchange rate of the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV). With this figure, the Venezuelan base salary is the lowest of all Latin Americawith a significant difference compared to other countries in the region, according to an analysis by Bloomberg.
Since the last salary adjustment by the Nicolas MaduroAs of March 15, 2022, both active workers and pensioners in Venezuela continue to earn incomes barely above the subsistence level, in an environment characterized by one of the highest inflation rates in the world.
Experts in the field describe this amount as insufficient and compare it to a “alms payment” given the difficult economic situation in the country.