Health Minister defends decision to resume distribution of morning after pill

Health Minister Óscar Ugarte defended the government’s decision to resume handing out emergency contraceptives  known as the “morning after pill” free of charge in health centers throughout the country in apparent defiance of Peru’s highest court. A ruling by the Constitutional Tribunal last October prohibited the free distribution of the pills. The court based its [...]

Peru swine flu death toll swells to 98

Peru Health Minister Oscar Ugarte reported Friday that the AH1N1 flu virus claimed its 98th fatality, and confirmed 353 new cases across Peru. In the past week, 18 Peruvians died as a result of the swine flu. According to Ugarte, the latest victims were all at-risk patients that suffered from various conditions, including cerebral palsy, terminal [...]

Survival International: Peru Amazon Indians struck by swine flu ‘for first time’

The first cases of swine flu – also known as the AH1N1 virus – have recently been confirmed among Amazonian Indians, raising experts’ fears of a devastating contagion amongst peoples with no immunity to outside diseases, reported London-based Survival International. Last week, Peru’s Health Ministry reported that seven Matsiguenga tribe natives living along Peru’s Urubamba [...]

Let’s dance to health: Peru Health Minister takes part in choreographed dance routine to boast health benefits of art

Peru Health Minister Oscar Ugarte and his Vice-Minister Melitón Arce took part in a choreographed dance routine during the opening ceremony of Peru’s First International Art and Health Forum on Monday, in an attempt to persuade Peruvians to embrace the health benefits of writing, music, and art. “Art is a bridge to health, self-improvement, cohesion, [...]

Peru swine flu deaths top 40, Health Ministry confirms 164 new cases

Peru Health Minister Oscar Ugarte reported Friday that the AH1N1 flu virus claimed its 40th fatality, a 3-year old child with Down syndrome and suffering from leukemia, and confirmed 164 new cases across Peru. According to Ugarte, the latest victims – including the 3-year old child, a 66-year old woman suffering from pulmonary fibrosis, a [...]

July 28th festivities and parades suspended indefinitely to avoid swine flu epidemic

A day after the Health Ministry confirmed Peru’s twelfth swine flu death, mayors across the Andean country announced the indefinite suspension of festivities, gatherings and parades planned for Peru’s Independence Day on July 28th. Although Peru’s Health Ministry has not officially asked mayors to do so, in San Isidro, as well as in the Lima [...]

Peru moves up mid-term vacation for public schools in response to swine flu spread

Peruvian Education Minister Antonio Chang announced Thursday that Peru’s public school children will start their mid-year vacations two weeks early in an attempt to stem the spread of AH1N1 flu virus. Schools will let out from July 15-31, and resume earlier than usual in August to make up for lost classroom time. The virus is [...]

Passenger arriving from Mexico not infected with swine flu, Peru steps up health checks in Jorge Chavez International Airport

A Peruvian woman who traveled to Mexico and came back to Peru with flu-like symptoms does not have the swine flu, Radio Radio Programas, or RPP, reported Monday. Carlos Salcedo Espinoza, the director of Callao’s Alcides Carrión Hospital, told reporters that lab results from tests on the 29-year old woman came back negative. Upon her [...]

Peru celebrates being measles-free for nine years

Because of nationwide prevention and vaccination campaigns, Peru has been measles-free for nine years, reported the Andean country’s Health Ministry on Wednesday. The last registered case of measles was that of 3-year old David Gómez Núñez. He was diagnosed with the measles in 2000, in Callao’s district of Ventanilla. In April 2008, an imported case [...]

Peru doctors launch 48-hour strike over pay and benefits

Less than six months after a massive doctors’ strike closed down hospitals and clinics across Peru, physicians launched a 48-hour strike Tuesday over pay and benefits they claim the government has promised, but failed to deliver. Government news agency Andina reported that the majority of state-run hospitals are operating as usual and that only 2 [...]

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