Peru President: Pan American Village may become a hospital complex

As is known, the Pan American Village was designed to house athletes and Para athletes during the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games.

The Head of State noted that the coronavirus epidemic is teaching us many lessons, as well as changing the paradigms and the ways of thinking, for example, about the human fragility and the need to reiterate that health is the best investment.

According to the top official, part of the Pan American Village —a complex of 7 towers, 20 floors each— was reserved for Peruvian athletes who had reached the podium, and the other apartments were going to be sold to recover the investment in favor of the Public Treasury.

For now, the statesman said, it was stipulated that the village must be occupied by coronavirus patients. 

"We already have 900 beds available and 300 have been occupied; but the place is able to accommodate 3,000 beds. So, we should think about the future," Mr. Vizcarra noted.

"However, this disease will be over, and what will we do after that?" he asked himself. "Should we sell the Pan American Village to increase the budget, or why don't we turn it into a large hospital complex in Lima? Do you realize that we need to change? We should think about the social rather than the economic gain because the best investment is the one that benefits the people," he added.

After reiterating that Peruvians will leave this pandemic behind and will be stronger next year, the President requested citizens to be careful so that —in the future— unimportant actions are not prioritized. 

(END) RRC/RMB/MVB