Current challenges to health care access in Guatemala

Abstract

Guatemala is an upper-middle-income country in Central America, with a high poverty rate and significant inequality. The health care system is divided into three large sectors: the private sector, the Guatemalan Social Security Institute, and the public sector. However, the government's health care expenditure is low, which has resulted in inadequate access to medical services for many citizens, especially for the indigenous population, who face disproportionately high poverty levels and limited health care services compared to non-indigenous individuals. Over the past 63 years, various international efforts have tried to address the inequity in health care access, with one example being the Behrhorst program. This program aimed to offer basic medical care to impoverished rural communities in the late 20th century and was a success but faced significant challenges due to the widespread violence and oppression that took place in the late 1970s and the early 1980s. Despite many efforts, significant challenges remain, particularly in addressing the health disparities between urban and rural areas.