Peruvian Health Minister Luis Dyer blamed local journalists in Pucallpa for failing to expose the healthcare crisis in the Ucayali region during an official visit.
When asked by a local reporter what concrete solutions he had brought after 30 days in office to address the poor condition of regional hospitals, Dyer failed to offer specific measures and instead questioned why journalists had not highlighted the problems earlier.
Dyer said he was outraged that the severe shortages in the regional health system were being treated as a secret, asserting that the situation had not been publicly exposed prior to his arrival.
The minister faced immediate pushback from a reporter who reminded him that the precarious state of Pucallpa's healthcare facilities was not hidden information and was already well known. Dyer responded by asking why, if everyone was aware of the situation, no one had voiced complaints or demanded timely improvements.
The minister's comments caused visible discomfort among attendees. Dyer maintained that public indignation should not be directed solely at the national government, arguing that news outlets share responsibility for exposing hospital shortcomings and urging reporters to assist in advancing these cases rather than exclusively criticizing the Ministry of Health.
The Ministry of Health, known locally as Minsa, is the central government agency responsible for public health administration and medical infrastructure in Peru. The eastern region of Ucayali, situated in the Amazon rainforest along the border with Brazil, relies on regional facilities in its capital of Pucallpa and surrounding rural districts to provide care for local communities.
Hospitals and health centers visited
Dyer visited several primary healthcare facilities across the region to assess their physical conditions and operational needs as part of his official tour. In Pucallpa, his itinerary included site visits to the Hospital Regional de Pucallpa, the 9 de Octubre health center, and the Nuevo Paraíso health center.
The minister also extended his inspection tour outside the regional capital, visiting the Hospital Amazónico in the neighboring district of Yarinacocha as well as the Campo Verde health center located in the Campo Verde district.
