President Jose Maria Balcazar's government signed contracts for the demolition of adjacent structures and the implementation of contingency works for the new Manuel Nuñez Butron Regional Hospital in Puno.
This marks the start of the construction phase of one of the most important public health projects in southern Peru.
During a ceremony held at the Government Palace on Wednesday, the Head of State underscored that the step makes it possible to move forward with a long-awaited intervention for Puno's population.
"This afternoon, we are taking a decisive and significant step to strengthen healthcare for our brothers and sisters in southern Puno. The signing of these contracts enables the execution of demolition and contingency works for the new Manuel Nuñez Butron Regional Hospital, which will benefit more than 1.3 million residents of this sister region in the south," he stated.
The project involves an investment of nearly S/1.2 billion (about US$353 million) and will directly benefit more than 1.3 million citizens, who will gain access to specialized and higher-complexity healthcare services without needing to travel outside their region.
Within this framework, the top official stressed that the intervention represents progress in territorial equity and access to fundamental rights.
"In this way, we are ensuring access to specialized and higher-complexity healthcare services without requiring our compatriots to travel far. We are talking about dignity and territorial access," Balcazar said.
Initial works, awarded for more than S/39 million (above US$11 million), include demolition, earthworks, and temporary hospital infrastructure implementation, ensuring continuity of services during construction of the new facility.
This stage marks the first concrete milestone in the full execution of the project under a government-to-government agreement with France, which guarantees international standards in infrastructure and equipment.
The new hospital will feature 296 beds, seven operating rooms, two delivery rooms, and 43 medical offices, within modern infrastructure that will upgrade the facility's category and significantly expand its service capacity for the population.
In that context, President Balcazar reaffirmed the government's commitment to strengthening the healthcare system and boosting high-impact social projects nationwide.
"Without health, no human being can live in society and in peace. From the government, we will continue to foster this policy across the country," he expressed.
At the end of this ceremony, the Head of State referred to the "Improvement and Expansion of Carlos Monge Medrano Hospital Health Services" project in Juliaca, which also aims to help close infrastructure gaps in Peru's southern area.