The Regional Government of Arequipa announced on March 28 that it is working with the Ministry of Health and Proinversión to strengthen efforts aimed at preventing and reducing maternal and childhood anemia. The initiative focuses on prioritizing strategic investments that will improve the ability of health centers across the region.
This effort is significant because anemia remains a public health concern, especially for children under five years old and pregnant women. Improving diagnostic capabilities and expanding coverage are seen as key steps toward reducing risks associated with anemia.
Currently, there are 698 health facilities nationwide equipped to diagnose the causes of anemia. In 2025, nearly one million children aged six to thirty-five months received hemoglobin testing, achieving more than 88 percent national coverage. Within Arequipa, the Regional Council approved sixty-five investment projects through Regional Agreement No. 067-2026-GRA/CR-Arequipa. These projects will be implemented in forty districts across ten Integrated Health Networks: Arequipa Caylloma, Arequipa Nor Oeste, Arequipa Nor Este, Caravelí, Camaná, Castilla–Condesuyos–La Unión, Islay, Arequipa Sur Oeste, Arequipa Sur Este and Arequipa Centro.
The Ministry of Health said these investments will strengthen preventive services as well as diagnostic and recovery capacities. They also aim to ensure timely follow-up for cases of anemia among children under five years old and pregnant women. The interventions also cover children aged five to eleven years old, adolescents and women of childbearing age according to Technical Health Standard No. 213-2024-MINSA regarding prevention and treatment of anemia.
With these actions in place this year alone an estimated 46,311 girls and boys under fifty-nine months old along with 21,736 pregnant women are expected to receive comprehensive care in the region. The prioritized projects mainly focus on equipping health facilities with biomedical equipment such as biochemical analyzers and hematology devices.
Officials say that by implementing these measures Arequipa has become a leading region in promoting health sector investments—helping achieve Peru’s goal for all children to grow up free from anemia.
