Accessible mental health platform
Accessible mental health platform
Business Model Description
Service providers that enable the prevention and/or treatment of mental health issues in Peru, incorporating technology to allow universal access, especially for vulnerable populations.
Expected Impact
Having a universally accessible mental healthcare system that uses technology and is inclusive
How is this information gathered?
Investment opportunities with potential to contribute to sustainable development are based on country-level SDG Investor Maps.
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Country & Regions
- Macroregion Sur
- Macroregion Selva
- Macroregion Centro
Sector Classification
Health Care
Development need
- 76% of the population has chronic health problems, and 33.6% have caloric deficits (3).
- 97.65% of the healthcare facilities in the PNA are inadequate (4).
- The rate of potentially avoidable premature mortality is 32.2%, with 418.4 deaths per million inhabitants due to COVID (5).
- Between 10% and 20% of Peruvians are excluded from access to the healthcare system (11).
Policy priority
-The National Plan includes measures to strengthen interventions for preventing and controlling chronic malnutrition, anemia, and immunopreventable diseases.
-The National Multisectoral Health Policy 2030 establishes healthcare and health attention, as well as interventions on the social determinants of health.
-The Multisectoral Strategic Plan 2030 focuses on making Peru a healthy country.
Gender inequalities and marginalization issues
- 44.3% of women reported suffering from a permanent ailment, which is 9.7 percentage points higher than men (6).
- Deaths due to central nervous system diseases accounted for 6.3% in women and 5.5% in men (6).
- 16% of Peruvians living in urban areas and 5% in rural areas had access to high-complexity and quality medical centers (11).
Investment opportunities introduction
- Peru has a multi-year investment program in the health sector, amounting to S/ 24,769 million for 2023 (7).
- Between 2009 and 2022, S/ 6,732.7 million has been invested in health through the Oxi modality (8).
- There are 6 health investment projects for an approximate sum of US$ 827 million (9).
- Ensuring access to quality healthcare and services is an objective of the Ministry of Health (MINSA).
Key bottlenecks introduction
- It is estimated that there is one doctor for every 390 inhabitants and one nurse for every 368 people in the entire country, with the majority of doctors located in Lima.
-There are only two ICU beds for every 100,000 people and 700 intensive care doctors. The WHO recommends 45 healthcare workers for every 10,000 people (10).
Health Care Providers
Development need
- A total of 313,455 cases of depression were treated post-pandemic (1).
- Mental disorders ranked fourth in the burden of diseases (2).
- Since 2016, suicide attempts increased by 1566 cases (14).
- The WHO warns that mental health should be a priority (15).
- UNICEF reports that one-third of children and adolescents in Peru experienced socio-emotional problems (21).
Policy priority
- The National Mental Health Plan establishes policies and strategies for mental health care.
- The government's policy for 2026 and Peru's vision for 2050 promote an effective, sustainable, and accessible mental health care system.
- The action strategy in mental health for the incarcerated population in Peru aims to address the mental health needs of this group.
Gender inequalities and marginalization issues
- According to the latest study by the Ministry of Health (MINSA) on disease burdens in the 15 to 44 age group, mental disorders have become more significant.
- Suicide rates are more common among women, teenagers, and young adults.
- Women are primarily affected by disorders such as headaches, anxiety, and depression.
Investment opportunities introduction
- Between March 2020 and May 2021, 177,632 cases related to mental health were attended to.
- In 2020, the investment in healthtech startups in Latin America reached $99 million.
- Over the past 7 years, the state budget for mental health has increased fivefold.
Managed Care
Pipeline Opportunity
Accessible mental health platform
Service providers that enable the prevention and/or treatment of mental health issues in Peru, incorporating technology to allow universal access, especially for vulnerable populations.
Business Case
Market Size and Environment
< USD 50 million
Peru invests less than S/ 30 per person per year in mental health (25). A total of 313,455 cases of people with depression were treated nationwide in 2021 (1).
Moquegua has the highest per capita budget for mental health at S/ 58.2. Tacna is at S/ 35.1, Apurímac at S/ 28.3, and regions with lower budgets per capita include Libertad (S/ 8.3), Callao (S/ 8.9), Lambayeque (S/ 9), and Lima Metropolitana (S/ 13.6) (23).
Approximately 20% of the Peruvian population suffers from mental health problems, which is approximately 6.5 million people (35).
Indicative Return
20% - 25%
A 2021 study by the National Safety Council and the University of Chicago's NORC found that companies that invested in mental health programs achieved an average ROI of $4 USD for every $1 USD spent. A similar ROI was reported by Deloitte and Bell Canada (27).
Humans Anonymous has announced new funding in the form of a $1.7 million pre-seed round led by Looking Glass Capital and Backend Capital, with participation from Ten VC and Authentic Ventures, venture capital funds that expect an approximate annualized return of 20% to 30% (30).
Investment Timeframe
Medium Term (5–10 years)
The investment timelines can vary depending on the specific company and each funding round. However, in general, investments in healthtech tend to be medium to long-term because it's a sector that is growing and constantly evolving.
Ticket Size
< USD 500,000
Market Risks & Scale Obstacles
Market - Highly Regulated
Capital - CapEx Intensive
Impact Case
Sustainable Development Need
The gap in access to mental healthcare exceeded 70% before the pandemic (5).
The Ministry of Health (Minsa) acknowledges that approximately 315 community centers are needed to serve the population, which would be one center for every 100,000 residents. The goal for 2021 was to have 241 of these centers. However, as of the current date, there are only 208 centers, which equates to one per 158,000 people. There is still a 34% gap to be filled (31).
The INSM (Instituto Nacional de Salud Mental) indicates that mental disorders in Lima have increased from two to three times. Depression has doubled from 2.8% to 7.5% (about 494,000 people), and anxiety, which had a rate of 1.9% in 2012, has tripled to reach 6.7% (about 432,000 people) (35).
Nationally, 4.7% of individuals aged 15 and older have been victims of physical partner violence, while in the 20 to 29 age group, 5.9% have experienced physical partner violence. In the 30 to 39 age group, the rate is 4.9%. This is considered one of the causes of depression (17).
Gender & Marginalisation
The new mental health law is focused on closing psychiatric hospitalization and prioritizes community care and temporary hospitalization. However, only 31 hospitals are enabled to receive these patients, and the most specialized ones are located in Lima (33).
Lima hosts 26.2% of the Community Mental Health Centers, whereas other regions do not reach even 10% (34).
Only 1 to 3% of the total Community Mental Health Centers are located in indigenous Amazonia (34).
5.2% of women experienced incidents of violence (17), leading to depression, stress, and other mental health issues.
Expected Development Outcome
Universalize mental health through the implementation of digital services, ensuring access for women and men in their diversity, under equal conditions, and without discrimination (13).
Gender & Marginalisation
One of the objectives of the National Telemedicine Plan by 2023 is to ensure that communities and vulnerable groups have access to eHealth services.
Ensure that the indigenous population with limited access to mental healthcare facilities can benefit.
Ensure that women, who represent the majority of physical violence cases, receive proper care for the mental health issues that may result from this.
Primary SDGs addressed
3.4.2 Suicide mortality rate
3.5.1 Coverage of treatment interventions (pharmacological, psychosocial and rehabilitation and aftercare services) for substance use disorders
Mental disorders represent the first place, contributing 12.7% of the total disease burden (13).
In 2022, the Ministry of Health (MINSA) reported that 72,325 cases of substance abuse and alcohol consumption were treated.
One of Peru's objectives for 2030 is to reduce the years of healthy life lost due to preventable causes by 5%, thereby decreasing the prevalence of disability and premature deaths.
As a State Policy to achieve the objectives by 2030, promoting the prevention and control of mental illnesses and drug addiction issues is established.
9.5.1 Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP
Peru has various regulations that promote investment in R&D&I, including tax benefits for those who invest in this sector.
Peru has risen from 1.98 to 2.56 points in the competitiveness ranking between 2019 and 2020, concerning health infrastructure. (36)
The Youth Policy proposes the development of mechanisms and strategies to guide healthcare with an emphasis on sexual and reproductive health, mental health, physical health, and nutrition during the youth stage of life.
Secondary SDGs addressed
Directly impacted stakeholders
People
Gender inequality and/or marginalization
Corporates
Public sector
Indirectly impacted stakeholders
People
Gender inequality and/or marginalization
Outcome Risks
The privacy and security of patient data can be compromised due to the online transmission of medical information.
The lack of training and experience among medical staff in using technology can lead to inadequate care or a misdiagnosis.
Gender inequality and/or marginalization risk: Challenges in communication between the patient and the doctor due to cultural and language barriers.
Impact Risks
Changes in the doctor-patient relationship, which can have implications for medical care and the population's perception of health.
Gender inequality and/or marginalization risk: Generation of inequities in access to medical care due to the economic capacity of patients to acquire technology and internet connectivity.
Impact Classification
What
A positive and significant result due to increased efficiency and the adoption of technology, in line with what the state promotes
Risk
Increasing the lack of trust in the Peruvian healthcare system due to poor care or connectivity failures.
Impact Thesis
Having a universally accessible mental healthcare system that uses technology and is inclusive
Enabling Environment
Policy Environment
The Prioritized Mental Health Action Strategy for the Prison Population 2022-2023 is a measure that is part of the Penitentiary Policy by 2030, which includes, among its guidelines, the optimization of mental health care in the country's correctional facilities.
The National Multisectoral Health Policy by 2030, with the objective of "Comprehensive Care throughout the Lifespan," is based on health equity criteria and prioritizes mental health.
Guidelines for Action in Mental Health, with the aim of providing the foundations for all mental health action planning, as well as for the development of a new National Mental Health Plan.
Government Policy by 2026, which has, among its objectives, to promote a mental health care system.
The Vision of Peru by 2050 includes and promotes mental health.
Financial Environment
Financial incentives: Deloitte conducted a study in the United Kingdom that found organizations that are sensitive to the importance of mental health and have proactively established concrete initiatives to protect or promote mental health have achieved a six-fold higher ROI than those that do not.
Fiscal incentives: Tax exemptions for the import of medical technology: In Peru, the import of medical technology is exempt from the General Sales Tax (IGV) and customs duties, which could reduce the investment costs in telemedicine.
Other incentives: The Peruvian government has included digital transformation as a priority within the National Plan for 2050. One of the key focus areas is the healthcare sector, with an emphasis on telemedicine and the digitization of medical records.
Regulatory Environment
Ministerial Resolution No. 1124-2022/MINSA, approving the Annual Institutional Operational Plan for 2023 of MINSA, in line with the Institutional Opening Budget for 2023.
Ministerial Resolution No. 868-2022/MINSA, approving the Technical Guide for the Comprehensive Mental Health Care of Girls, Boys, and Adolescents who are victims of sexual violence.
Law No. 30947, which establishes the framework to guarantee access to services, promotion, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation in mental health that considers the community care model, as well as the indispensable respect for human rights and the dignity of individuals without discrimination.
Law No. 30490: Law on Older Adults, which establishes as a duty of the family to ensure the mental and emotional well-being.
Marketplace Participants
Private Sector
Startups like Terapia Chat attract private investors from abroad who invest in healthtech.
Government
Through Innovate Peru and other programs focused on the mental health sector, to achieve their goals.
Multilaterals
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that mental health should be a priority when taking measures related to climate change. (15)
Non-Profit
The Suma Vida Civil Association works on suicide prevention and the promotion of mental health.
Non-Profit
The INTRAS Foundation from Spain contributes to the improvement of mental health through donations. The Peruvian Society of Psychoanalysis, among others, is also involved in mental health-related efforts.
Target Locations
Macroregion Sur
Macroregion Selva
Macroregion Centro
References
- (1) MINSA (2022), Más de 300 mil casos de depresión fueron atendidos durante el 2021
- (2) MINSA (2019), Estudio de Carga de Enfermedad, Perú
- (3) Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática (2022) - Encuesta Nacional de Hogares.
- (4) MINSA (2022), Diagnóstico de Brechas de infraestructura y equipamiento en el sector salud
- (5) Organización Panamericana de la Salud (2021), Perfil de Perú.
- (6) INEI (2022), Brechas de Género en el Perú.
- (7) MINSA (2023), Ministra Kelly Portalatino sustentó el proyecto de presupuesto del sector Salud para el Año Fiscal 2023.
- (8) Dirección de Inversiones Descentralizadas - ProInversión (2022), RANKING DE DEPARTAMENTOS POR MONTO DE INVERSION EN OBRAS POR IMPUESTOS 2009 - 2022.
- (9) PROINVERSIÓN (2023), Cartera de proyectos de inversión modalidad Asociación Público Privada.
- (10) International Trade Administratiton (2022), Guía Comercial de Perú.
- (11) Hart, Spencer (2021). "Lack of Access to Quality Healthcare in Peru". Resumen de Ballard..
- (12) MINSA (2022), Tiempos de Pandemia 2020 - 2021
- (13) Política Estratégica Multisectorial al 2030, Accion Estraégica, Perú Pais Saludable.
- (14) (MINSA (2022), Vigilancia epidemiológica de problemas de salud mental priorizados en establecimientos de salud centinela 2016 – 2022 (1o trimestre)
- (15) OMS (2022), Por qué la salud mental debe ser una prioridad al adoptar medidas relacionadas con el cambio climático
- (16) OPS (2020), Perfil de la salud mental en Perú
- (17) INEI, (2020), Perú enfermedades no transmisibles y transmisibles.
- (18) PECAP (2022), Reporte de Inversiones de Capital Emprendedor en Perú 2021.
- (19) (STARTUPEABLE (2021), Healthtech en Latinoamérica: Guía Definitiva
- (20) Socios en la Salud (2022), El reto de la salud mental: ¿existe el recurso humano suficiente y capacitado?
- (21) UNICEF (2021), Community-based mental health care in Peru
- (22) MEF (2023), Consulta Amigable (revisado el 01 de marzo del 2023)
- (23) El Comercio (2022), El Estado destina menos del 2% del presupuesto del sector a la salud mental
- (24) OMS (2022), Informe mundial sobre salud mental: Transformar la salud mental para todos
- (25) La Republica (2022), Al año, el Perú invierte menos de S/ 30 por persona para salud mental
- (26) La Republica (2022), Perú necesita 300 mil psicólogos, pero solo hay 100 mil
- (27) Frankie (2022), How to measure the ROI of employee mental health
- (28) BID (2022), La Gran oportunidad de la salud digital en América Latina y el Caribe.
- (29) Deloitte (2021), El impacto de la salud mental en la productividad corporativa
- (30) TechCrunch (2022), This startup wants to scale anonymous mental health support – starting with founders
- (31) MINSA (2018), Plan de fortalecimiento de servicios de salud mental comunitaria 2018-2021
- (32) MINSA (2020), Nota de Prensa
- (33) La Republica Data, (2022), Sin cobertura para salud mental: aseguradoras privadas excluyen tratamientos y el Estado no se da abasto
- (34) Defensoría del Pueblo (2019), Supervisión a los Centros de Salud Mental Comunitarios.
- (35) MINSA (2021), Nuevos psiquiatras se suman al servicio de la salud mental en el contexto de la pandemia
- (36) CENTRUM e IMD (2022), Resultados del Ranking de Competitividad Mundial 2022"
- (37) INFOBAE (2021), Día de la Salud Mental: las cifras en Perú tras los efectos de la pandemia en los servicios de salud
- (38) Semana Económica (2023), Asociaciones Público Privadas: un mecanismo en cuidados intensivos
- (39) VIDENZA Consultores (2022), La salud mental en el Perú: un gran pendiente