title: [Mandatory requirement of social health service in Peru: discriminatory and unconstitutional].
abstract: The rural and urban-edge health service (SERUMS) is an activity that only health professionals perform for the Peruvian government, as it is a mandatory requirement to qualify for a second specialty or to work in public hospitals and public health care facilities, and obtain government scholarships for future training. The few legal changes in the rules of this social program and the focus of service restricted to health professionals lead to a perception of this policy as discriminatory and unconstitutional because it violates the right to education and work. There is no scientific evidence that supports the usefulness and effectiveness of this program in terms of quality of service and health indicator improvement, as well as in adequate distribution and retention of health professionals. We suggest to abolish the compulsory requirement and to reformulate a political strategy to help attract and retain health professionals in vulnerable areas of Peru.
authors.affiliation: Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Perú
authors.forename: Percy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mayta-Tristán
authors.affiliation: Puesto de salud Santa Cruz de Ratacocha, Ministerio de Salud, Huánuco, Perú
authors.forename: Julio A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Poterico
authors.affiliation: Escuela de Medicina y Cirugía, Universidad Hispanoamericana, San José, Costa Rica.
authors.forename: Edén
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Galán-Rodas
authors.affiliation: Estudio Trujillo Amorós, Lima, Perú
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Raa-Ortiz
mesh_terms: D006296:Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D037141:Mandatory Programs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D010568:Peru; D010820:Physicians / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D000078329:Workforce