Andina

Peru's PM: Government to defend public health, democracy

Photo: ANDINA/Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Photo: ANDINA/Presidency of the Council of Ministers

15:28 | Lima, Mar. 6.

Prime Minister Violeta Bermudez on Saturday affirmed that the Peruvian Government will defend public health and democracy against the constant attacks that these have been receiving from those groups seeking to discredit the State-run vaccination against COVID-19 and polarize the population.

"In response to the successful start of the vaccination process, a new lie has been created in order to disseminate doubts," the high-ranking official expressed.

The Cabinet chief argued that such objective is "to discredit the inoculation and polarize the population five weeks before the general elections are held."

In this sense, Bermudez mentioned that —before the efficacy of the Sinopharm vaccine had been questioned— those groups —unsuccessfully— attempted to link the Government with the Vacunagate Scandal and pit it against the private sector.

"It is unacceptable for a democracy and for the defense of public health that —given private interests— an attempt is made to condemn many Peruvians, especially the most vulnerable —our elderly population— to not having a shield against the pandemic," she said.

Therefore, the dignitary urged politicians, civil society, businesspeople, and media outlets to defend public health and democracy.

Legal measures

Likewise, the Prime Minister indicated that the Justice Ministry is in charge of assessing the situation created by the broadcast of the news report on the alleged efficacy of Sinopharm vaccines, in order to determine the legal actions that will be taken.

The high-ranking official affirmed that "freedom of expression cannot collide with malicious information to endanger public health and safety."

For that reason, steps to take in this regard will be analyzed.

The Cabinet chief went on to add that Sinopharm has sent a letter to the Government stressing that the information provided by that report —about the alleged efficacy of its vaccine— is incorrect.

Moreover, Bermudez reconfirmed that the vaccination of elder citizens begins on March 8. 

Lastly, she assured that everyone will be vaccinated.


(END) FGM/VVS/MVB

Published: 3/6/2021