The Peruvian government signed a contract on April 15 to start demolition and contingency works for the new Manuel Núñez Butrón Regional Hospital in Puno. The agreement allows for the demolition of existing structures, implementation of temporary facilities, and other preliminary activities necessary for the project.
This development is considered important because it marks the beginning of physical work on a hospital expected to improve specialized healthcare access in southern Peru. More than 1,377,122 residents are projected to benefit from this project.
The signing ceremony was attended by President José María Balcázar, Minister of Health Juan Carlos Velasco, and Puno regional governor Richard Hancco. “Esta tarde, estamos dando un paso significativo para fortalecer la salud de nuestros hermanos y hermanas del sur, asegurando el acceso a servicios de salud especializados,” said President Balcázar. He added that this milestone initiates construction under a government-to-government contract with France involving an investment close to S/1200 million.
According to officials, the National Program of Health Investments (Pronis), part of the Ministry of Health (Minsa), will now proceed with designing and executing outpatient and administrative services as part of temporary works. This includes relocating medical equipment and preparing the site through fencing installation, earthworks, excavation, and cleaning.
The future hospital will be upgraded from category II-2 to III-1 status. This upgrade means patients needing complex care will no longer have to travel outside Puno for treatment. Minister Velasco said: “Estamos haciendo viable el sueño del Hospital Manuel Núñez Butrón. Mi compromiso es con la vida y la salud. Trabajamos para volver a ver sonreír a las familias de Puno con hospitales de alta complejidad y medicamentos de calidad.”
Plans indicate that over 35,800 square meters will be built with 296 beds, seven operating rooms, two delivery rooms, forty-three medical offices as well as modern technology aimed at improving patient care quality.
With this contract signed, Minsa continues efforts toward closing infrastructure gaps by promoting strategic projects designed to provide timely healthcare services.
