Defend Children's Health in Peru

In August, Peru’s Ministry of Health published a resolution on the guidelines for the comprehensive care of people exposed to heavy metals and other chemicals.

The technical document recognizes the presence of heavy metals and other toxic chemicals in the environment, as well as the profound impact those toxins have on the health of the people exposed to them.

The policy aims to help those exposed to heavy metals—like the residents of La Oroya—by providing them with comprehensive care, and emphasizing interventions that promote public health and prevent damages.

At AIDA, we understand that the situation of people exposed to heavy metals in Peru poses a public health problem with serious human rights impacts. 

A poor and incomplete policy puts at risk the right to health and, consequently, other rights whose exercise depends on everyone enjoying the highest possible level of physical and mental health. 

That’s why we submitted our observations on the policy to the Ministry of Health, presenting the international legal framework of Peru’s obligations relating to those affected by heavy metal pollution.

We requested that the government include in the policy:

• scientific evidence in the development of strategies;
• a focus on human rights;
• baseline diagnostics; and
• the design of emergency health plans for areas highly exposed to heavy metals.

We’re currently reviewing a revised version of the policy to determine whether our observations were recognized and included. 

We’ll continue to monitor the progress of this and other policies, and work to ensure the best possible care for all those affected by toxic pollution.