The Ministry of Health, through the General Directorate of Environmental Health and Food Safety (Digesa), participated on March 28 in a closing event for the project “Safe Water, Secure Futures” at the Niños de Belén Educational Institution in Lurín. The initiative aims to promote access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene within schools.
The project was carried out with support from Procter & Gamble (P&G), World Vision Peru, and United Way Peru as part of a joint effort to protect school community health and improve learning conditions.
Attendees included José Latorre Gálvez, director general of Digesa; Alessandra Leverone, executive director of United Way Peru; Yadira Pacheco, sustainability director for World Vision Peru; and Mónica Fernández de Soto, corporate affairs director for Chile, Colombia and Peru at P&G.
During his remarks, Latorre Gálvez said that access to water suitable for human consumption is an essential component of public health. He said that safe water, sanitation and hygiene are fundamental pillars for preventing diarrheal diseases, infections and other health risks—especially among children. He also said that the national environmental health authority is carrying out actions nationwide such as evaluating supply systems, monitoring field parameters, conducting microbiological controls and verifying compliance with current sanitary regulations.
Latorre Gálvez further said that collaboration between public sector entities, private companies and civil society organizations is key to closing gaps in access to basic services. He said this contributes to sustainable development and improves quality of life for people living in vulnerable areas.
The “Safe Water, Secure Futures” project demonstrates collaborative work among various institutions working within their competencies to provide sustainable solutions related to water supply, sanitation and hygiene in educational settings. This benefits students as well as teachers and the wider school community.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to continue strengthening regulation efforts along with sanitary surveillance activities regarding drinking water quality. It also stated it will keep promoting access to safe water as a public health priority.
