The Ministry of Health announced on March 23 that it will hold a public health fair focused on the prevention, detection, and treatment of tuberculosis. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Próceres de la Independencia park in Jesús María.
The initiative is part of activities marking World Tuberculosis Day, observed every March 24 to raise awareness and encourage action against tuberculosis worldwide. The fair is open to people of all ages and aims to inform the public about respiratory health and healthy lifestyles.
At various stands during the event, Ministry professionals will provide information on preventive therapies, administer BCG vaccines, conduct tuberculosis screening and diagnosis using digital radiology with artificial intelligence technology, offer HIV testing, and assist with enrollment in the Comprehensive Health Insurance (SIS), among other services.
José Alfredo Ortiz Gutiérrez, executive director of the Directorate for Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis at the Ministry of Health, said that Peru is among the thirty countries with the highest rates of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis globally. He said that in response to this situation “the Ministry is strengthening prevention efforts as well as early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment,” prioritizing high-risk populations and areas.
Ortiz Gutiérrez also said that innovative technologies such as digital radiology powered by artificial intelligence and molecular biology tests are being implemented without cost during this event in Jesús María.
To help prevent tuberculosis infection, the Ministry recommends keeping indoor spaces ventilated by opening windows regularly and maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables. For newborns, BCG vaccination is advised; children under five years old or elderly adults should avoid contact with individuals diagnosed with tuberculosis.
