Updates from Peru

Two new updates from Peru: Times are changing in Peru, and nowhere is this more evident than in how the political system is handling many of the formidable challenges facing the country. Two brief wire service articles that first appeared on the website “Living in Peru” (see: http://www.livinginperu.com/) provide a very fitting example of such challenges and the governments responses.

Congress approves new divorce bill in Peru

(LIP-ir) -- In a plenary session of congress Thursday afternoon, congress approved a bill that is to make it easier for Peruvians to get a divorce.

With a 61 - 8 votes, a bill that will allow couples in Peru to get divorced at municipalities and notaries across the country was passed.

The project was presented in 2006 by Congresswoman Rosario Sasieta, who claimed the divorce process in the country was an extremely heavy and unnecessary burden on Peru's judicial system, stating that the whole system was put into action to handle one divorce.

She also explained that Peruvians had to pay a great deal of money for a divorce and that the process was too long.

With the recently approved bill, citizens that mutually agree to end their marriage will be able to do so through municipalities and notaries.

It was reported that this would only apply to couples that had already established the custody of their children and the distribution of property and possessions.

Many Peruvians applauded the effort and stated it would solve many couples' problems.

On the other hand, Monsignor Luis Bambarén affirmed that this was not a good decision and would only lead to more divorces and "quick fixes". He stated that more attention should be given to strengthening families.

There are currently 3.6 million divorce cases pending in Peru's court system.

Doctors end 21-day strike in Peru

(LIP-ir) -- Several hours after a 5-hour meeting with authorities from Peru's Ministry of Health, the Peruvian Doctors Association announced Tuesday afternoon that it was going to end its strike.

At a union branch in Lince, Dr. Julio Vargas, president of the Peruvian Doctors Association, accompanied by Health Minister, Dr. Hernan Garrido Lecca, announced that the union had agreed to end the strike, which began on January 8 with 13,000 doctors.

Peru's Ministry of Health held a meeting with representatives from the Peruvian Doctors Association from 8:30 a.m. Tuesday until approximately 2 p.m. After the meeting, Vargas stated he would take the Health Ministry's proposals to union leaders and decide if the strike would continue.

He added that the Doctors Association was always willing to negotiate with the Health Ministry to come to an understanding, stating that despite the strike, patients had been cared for.

Vargas pointed out that patients had not been transferred to other hospitals as a sign of good faith. Doctors had threatened to begin releasing patients if demands were not met. The government assured doctors that if these measures were taken they would be prosecuted.

According to Vargas, the union was requesting that health service in Peru be improved so patients in the country could be better assisted.

Requests also included a higher budget to establish an adequate system and work with human resources departments, which were unmotivated because of low salaries.

Vargas explained that there were 7,000 medical centers that did not have the necessary funds or equipment to provide a quality service to patients.