Abstract
Introduction
Understanding geographic accessibility to neurosurgical care is key to ensuring timely treatment, particularly in countries with challenging topography like Peru. This investigation aimed to estimate Peru's population distribution within critical time intervals and proximity to the nearest neurosurgical facility in the Ministry of Health network.
Methods
A geographical analysis was conducted to examine the distribution of the Peruvian population within six travel areas (1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, 1 day, and 5 days) to the nearest facility providing neurosurgical care.
Results
Twenty-five facilities providing neurosurgical care were identified across Peru, of which 92% pertained to tertiary or higher-level facilities and were included in the analysis. Peru’s population was estimated at 32,625,937 people. The most populated area of Peru, Lima, concentrates 52.17% of neurosurgical facilities. Nearly 13,820,347 Peruvian people (42.36%) could lack neurosurgical access within 4 hours of travel. In addition, 72.1% and 89% of Lima and Callao’s population exhibited timely access to neurosurgical care within 1 hour of travel, respectively. About 302,733 people (30.1%) living in the region of Loreto could
access neurosurgical treatment in up to 5 days of travel.
Conclusion
Geographical accessibility to neurosurgical facility care is heterogeneous. Major hospital settings remain centralized in Lima and Callao regions. Virtually 42.36% of the Peruvian population could not access timely neurosurgical care within 4 hours of travel. Notably, roughly one-third of the population in the Amazon region of Loreto could reach a neurosurgical setting in up to 5 days of travel. These findings may be worrisome, yet could incentivize further assessment of underserved areas, prioritize infrastructure development, and synergic policy interventions from governmental and non-governmental organizations.