The Minister of Health of Peru in the eye of the storm: How much does it cost…

Bloomberg Line – The political landscape in Peru continues to change and the seven-month government of Pedro Castillo has demonstrated the difficulty that exists in the country to achieve political stabilityBecause only a few weeks ago he appointed his fourth cabinet, and last February 28, the head of the transport portfolio, Juan Silva, resigned after being questioned since taking office.

But Among the portfolios that have suffered the most from the political tremors recently is the Ministry of Health (Minsa), which has reached its seventh head in the two years since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to experts and politicians, the arrival of an eighth minister will be imminent, since the interrogation of Hernan Condori (the current holder of the bag) does not stop in Peru.

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Since taking office in the second week of February 2022, medical associations and other former officials They have criticized Kondori for incurring unethical practices in the past, such as recommending “cluster water” without any scientific basis.

“That kind of cluster water As Mr. Kondori’s deception is known, it is a product containing the most absurd and outrageous claims, without scientific backing.” The words of the famous doctor Elmer Huerta on Twitter.

But these are not the only arguments. Upon just reaching this position, the Peruvian ombudsman wondered if he had been elected to this position even without being”Distinguished experience in the field of public health”, while denying that Kondori is still under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Public Prosecutor for wrongdoing when he was director of health in the Junin district in 2019.

In addition, both the Peruvian Medical Association and the Peruvian Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, They criticized Kondori for performing procedures without sufficient specialization and also for recommending a method to detect cancer ‘in a minute’ By a licensed obstetrician, it is punishable.

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Is he leaving his post?

In the face of constant questioning, The medical union is most concerned with the continuity of the current Minister of Health in office.

Dr. Percy Maita Tristan, director of research at the Universidade Centifica del Sur in Peru, said: Bloomberg Line that kundori”He should not have become a minister“.

“This is the first time that all medical-scientific groups in the country have called on a minister to resign before his first week. There is no doubt that ministers are political positions, and it is the prerogative of the Prime Minister to propose and accept them from the President. But A certain level of preparation and credibility is expected and without too many questions, and in the case of health, He does not promote treatments that are considered scams“, pointed out.

For researcher and science editor, the Covid-19 pandemic has shown it Peru’s health system requiresimprovements” A good leader is required.Who knows how to take advantage of this opportunity for everyone’s benefit“.

That same week, an initiative promoted by Fuerza Popular Bench began in the Peruvian Congress to propose a censure motion to the health minister. The bench spokesman, Hernando Guerra Garcia, said the initiative was promoted because Condori “It is a mockery of the citizens“.

In the same vein, Dr. Maita Tristan presented his position on the next figure that should reach this bag for the benefit of the state. “The health authority requires credibility so that recommendations to the population on pandemic management are followed (…) We are concerned about the neglect of vaccination and management of personal interests, when this is necessary to improve the capabilities of the health system, which, due to its weakness, had one of the highest mortality rates from SARS-Cov-2 in the world.“.

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Indeed, on Wednesday, many doctors and field workers in Peru are organizing a sit-in to demand the departure of Kondori from Mensa.And asking the government to reconsider what is happening in the sector.

Kondori is not planning to leave

The Minister indicated this in the past few hours TVPeru That he’s behind the order to leave the post, there”mafia‘, though he did not provide evidence, assuring it would even work’the last moment“.

“They can meet, and picket, and make their claims, but I think I’ve shown my whole life that I work”Condori told the media about the sit-ins that will be held against him on Wednesday in Lima.

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From the executive branch, President Castillo himself on several occasions supported the appointment of Hernán Condori despite serious questions against him. “You look at the person, not the serious cases. Do you know where the major health problems lie? The health problem is not a purely endemic problem, it is a historical problem. (…]Walk with the Minister to the furthest position and let the Minister himself respond”Pedro Castillo commented on February 21 after being asked about Condori’s criticism.

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