“It is designed with a capacity of approximately 375 beds, i.e. it may well be larger than the largest hospitals in Lima. It will have an oncology unit to combat cancer and the most modern equipment possible,” announced the President of Peru, Ollanta Humala.
Furthermore, he said that the modern hospital will be built over a five hectare area and is the result of an investment of approximately 300 million sols, a “message” to the population that they are getting the respect that they deserve with regard to the quality of healthcare.
The president emphasized that the existing 79 year old infrastructure of Antonio Lorena hospital had been demolished to make way for a modern construction that the “historical capital of Peru, of Tahuntinsuyo; Cusco, deserves.” And he confirmed that the hospital services of the health center have been transferred to the Army barracks at Huancaro.
“And it is also true that it is not the only regional capital of Peru that has this need, we want to make progress, to meet the short term healthcare needs of our brothers in Apurimac, Madre de Dios and other regions in the country who will be coming here,” he said.
Furthermore, he stated that the hospital’s modern technology will have digital records that will be accompanied by a telemedicine service in order to be able to provide care in the 13 provinces and 108 districts of the Cusco region.
“So, by making use of telemedicine, in Quillabamba, Paruro, Canchis and any other village, we can provide diagnosis testing; ultrasounds or mammograms, and get the results from the hospital to make a diagnosis and decide upon treatment,” he added.
Ollanta Humala, accompanied by the First Lady of the Nation, Nadine Heredia, took part in the ceremony for payment of ‘pachamama’ land, before moving on to start the construction which is expected to be finished within 18 months.
Also present were the Minister of Health, Midori de Habich; the Minister for Housing, Construction and Hygiene, René Cornejo; the Minister of Development and Social Inclusion, Carolina Tivelli; the President of the Regional Government, Jorge Acurio; congresswoman Julia Teves and congressman Rubén Coa; and the Mayor of the district of Santiago, Fermín García; among others.
Source: Andina, Agencia Peruana de Noticias
