Peru: State doctors’ strike intensifies August 4 /update 2

Event

Doctors in Peru are continuing their indefinite strike outside the country’s Ministry of Health building in Lima against the government of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski as of Friday, August 4. The protesters are demanding that Kuczynski deliver higher wages, more investment in health infrastructure, and increased budgets. Additionally, nurses from the Ministry of Health announced that they will go on an indefinite strike starting Monday, August 7, demanding the implementation of a health action plan to fix current medical resource shortages, as well as better wages. The nearly 20,000 combined doctors and nurses on strike will reportedly provide only critical and emergency health care services, resulting in significant anticipated disruptions to standard care services. However, controversy has surrounded the doctors’ strike as a child recently died in a hospital in Yurimaguas, allegedly from lack of medical care. Expect strikes and demonstrations to intensify in coming weeks if no solution is reached.

Context

The Kuczynski government has faced numerous strikes in recent months, among them a teachers’ strike that began on June 15 and the doctors’ strike that started on July 4. Before teachers and the government reached an agreement on raising wages and regional education budgets on August 3, striking teachers took control of an airport in Jauja and closed several roads in Cuzco and Ayacucho last month. The Peruvian government declared a state of emergency on July 21 in six districts affected by the teachers’ strikes. Isolated teacher protests continue despite the August 3 agreement. Negotiations between the government and health strikers have failed so far; strikes and demonstrations have extended beyond the capital throughout the country as dialogue has stalled.

More generally, protests and strikes are relatively common in Peru. While most demonstrations remain peaceful, violence can break out with little to no warning. Major protest activity can cause significant disruptions to daily life and travel, including in areas popular with tourists.

Advice

Individuals present in the region are advised to monitor developments to the situation, anticipate transportation delays in Lima and other major cities, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities. Potentially affected individuals should monitor developments to the situation, confirm all medical appointments, and seek alternative arrangements for health services as necessary.