The Ministry of Health announced on April 20 the start of operations for the Oncology Compounding Unit at the Huacho Regional Hospital. This development is described as an important step in strengthening cancer care for the Lima region and northern coastal areas of Peru.
The new unit was established with support from the Ministry’s Directorate for Cancer Prevention and Control, which oversaw the centralized purchase of a vertical laminar flow hood needed to prepare cytotoxic medications. Following delivery of this equipment, hospital staff completed upgrades to the facility, ensuring that all areas met current regulations.
Technical assistance for infrastructure was provided by the Directorate of Equipment and Maintenance, while guidance on workflows and regulatory matters came from cancer prevention officials within the ministry. The unit now has a team made up of three specialized pharmaceutical chemists and one pharmacy technician dedicated to preparing oncology medication mixtures.
Currently, services are offered two days per week—Thursdays and Fridays—with capacity to treat six patients daily who require parenteral chemotherapy. There are plans to increase capacity in response to growing demand.
Officials say that establishing this service will improve access to cancer treatment for residents in Lima and Ancash regions while helping decentralize oncology care away from metropolitan hospitals. In addition, there are medium-term plans to develop this facility into a strategic hub supporting further decentralization along Peru’s central coast.
