DEG promotes improved emergency medical services in Peru and Bolivia

medDV GmbH and other private partners invest EUR 1.28m, DEG contributes EUR 1.27m from develoPPP.de funds

In Peru and Bolivia, many people are injured in road traffic accidents every year, including bus accidents. However both countries lack professional emergency medical services, measured against international standards. This is where a joint initiative by DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH and medDV GmbH, a provider of system solutions for emergency medical services, comes into play. The aim is to make structural improvements to medical services in Peru and Bolivia. This includes the establishment of central EMS control stations and the introduction of certified programmes for qualification as skilled EMS staff.

The other private partners are Steinbeis Hochschule GmbH, AIRBUS Helicopters Deutschland GmbH and GS Elektromedizinische Geräte G. Stemple GmbH. Together, they are investing around EUR 1.28m. DEG is contributing around EUR 1.27m from funds from the develoPPP.de programme of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Model central EMS control station in Lima

Together with local doctors, the partners, including experts from the German Institute for Disaster Medicine at the University of Tübingen, are currently drawing up a plan for the reorganisation of emergency medical services and disaster relief in Peru and Bolivia. This is intended to form the basis for the discussion of changes in the law in the areas concerned. In the Peruvian capital, Lima, a model central EMS control station is also planned, with telemedicine consulting systems designed to improve emergency care even in remote regions. For example, a rescue helicopter stationed there would serve areas in which serious accidents frequently occur.

New professional opportunities in healthcare

In 2016, medDV GmbH (established in 2003) became the first provider of system solutions for emergency medical services in Germany to achieve certification under the quality management standard ISO 9001. The company also complies with the leading international standard for information security management systems. Through its involvement in Peru and Bolivia, medDV aims to help to professionalise emergency medical services in both countries. As an academic partner, Steinbeis Hochschule GmbH has entered into cooperation with national universities to establish the profession of emergency paramedic in Peru and Bolivia.

The three-year project creates new professional opportunities in healthcare in the countries concerned and reduces the impact of road traffic accidents. This will culminate in expert conferences in Lima and Santa Cruz. There, the results will be presented to a broad audience of experts and politicians and the public will be informed about the new forms of emergency medical services organisation.