10 Facts about the Health Situation in Venezuela and their Implications in other Countries

Also available in: Español

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) provides data about diphtheria, measles, malaria, tuberculosis and HIV infection outbreaks in Venezuela. Furthermore, it underlines health concerns generated by migration to neighboring countries.

PAHO published a report on the health situation in Venezuela. It warns that the Caribbean country has faced “a social, political and economic situation which has had a negative impact on social and health indicators.”

PAHO has registered diphtheria, measles and malaria outbreaks which have spread rapidly, affecting several states of the country at the same time. Other issues raising concerns are HIV infection, tuberculosis, the increase in maternal mortality and under-one mortality, as well as access to medicines and to appropriate health care services for people with chronic diseases.

HIV

The number of new HIV infections increased by 24% between 2010 and 2016. Moreover, 15 out of the 25 government-purchased antiretroviral medicines have been out of stock for more than nine months.

Tuberculosis

The number of tuberculosis cases raised between 2014 (6,063) and 2016 (7,816). According to preliminary reports from 2017, 10,185 cases have been registered. However, the recent lack of laboratory material has affected tuberculosis diagnostic capability.

Malaria

The number of malaria cases in Venezuela increased by 198.74% between 2015 (136,000) and 2017 (406,289). This increase is mainly linked to migration of infected people from mining areas to other areas of the country with ecosystems prone to disease spread, also characterized by the lack of antimalarial medicines or their unaffordable cost.

Measles

Measles has spread to 21 out of the 24 states of the country. Between July 2017 and June 2018, 2,285 confirmed cases have been registered, and 1,558 of them occurred in 2018.

The following are among the numerous factors behind the spread of the virus both within the country and overseas: 1) insufficient vaccination coverage, 2) inadequate surveillance system, 3) delay in the adoption of control measures and 4) limited capacity for proper case management.

Diphtheria

In recent years, Venezuela has registered a major diphtheria outbreak. Since the outbreak began–in 2016–until 2018, a total of 1,716 diphtheria cases have been reported, including 160 deaths.

Health System

The national health system’s gradual loss of operational capacity over the last five years intensified in 2017, which has affected the provision of free health care and free access to medicines. Besides, PAHO warns that several hospitals operate in extremely difficult conditions.

Health Staff

The Venezuelan Medical Federation estimates that around 22,000 doctors have migrated overseas. This migration has particularly affected some specialties, such as neonatology, anesthesiology, intensive care and urgent care.

Furthermore, approximately 6,000 bioanalysts and laboratory technicians have left the country, and the National Association of Nursing Professionals of Venezuela estimated that between 3,000 and 5,000 nurses have migrated outside the country.

Migration

Population movements have intensified both within the country and overseas, specially to Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Trinidad and Tobago. In 2017, more than 1,6 million Venezuelans migrated to other countries, which has generated public health concerns.

Recommendations for Venezuela

To urgently prepare and implement an action plan to stop measles and diphtheria transmission.

To reduce malaria-related morbidity and mortality, particularly in vulnerable population groups.

To implement urgent measures to streamline and mobilize existing resources to ensure functionality of hospital care on a priority basis and to address gaps in primary health care to respond to immediate challenges.

Recommendations for all countries

PAHO suggests investing in a general vaccination coverage and prioritizing it to cover at least 95% of people from all municipalities and communities, and to cope with outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.