The president, accompanied by television presenter Andrés Hurtado, publicly showed a check for S/4 billion last May that would be used to cover the medical expenses of minors suffering from this disease. However, parents of the patients denounced that until today they did not receive any support.
Congresswoman Norma Yarrow (Avanza País) revealed that the budget promised by Castillo did not exist, after the Ministry of Economy clarified the information.
“The implementation of the National Cancer Law amounts to a total of S/5,398 million, but for a time horizon of 10 years,” the MEF indicated in a response letter.
Sources from the Oversight Commission told Peru21 that the case was opened because “an excessive amount of money had been promised compared to the actual budget” that was available.
In addition, they announced that the first session will be this Friday. “We have already mapped the case and we have a structure of what steps we are going to follow,” they assured.
They also indicated that the first to be called to testify will be the Minister of Health, Jorge López Peña, and the Minister of Economy, Kurt Burneo.
Among those summoned is also President Castillo and the president of the Association for the Rights of Children with Cancer, María Lumbre Figueroa.
“It is not ruled out that powers (of an investigative commission) will be requested if reasonable indications are identified. It must be taken into account that the commission, within its usual regulatory actions, can call officials for alleged irregular acts against the public apparatus; If (reasons) are found, they will be requested,” they warned.
Dini in sight
On the other hand, given the affirmation of the presenter Andrés Hurtado that the head of the National Intelligence Directorate (DINI), José Fernández Latorre, was one of the organizers of the event, parliamentarian Yarrow asked the official to submit a report on his participation in the activity.
The legislator expressed to Latorre –another countryman from Pedro Castillo born in Chota (Cajamarca)– her concern about the mention made by the artist in the public event held at the Government Palace.
“(Clarify) the statements made by Andrés Hurtado Grados, at the ceremony with child cancer patients and their mothers at the Government Palace, dated May 12, 2022, where he indicated that he coordinated the organization of the activity with you” , the document reads.
Today, relatives, parents and doctors of children with cancer will hold a march to demand that the Head of State keep the promise. The demonstration will begin at 2:00 pm in Plaza San Martín.
Data
- The executive director of cancer prevention and control of the Ministry of Health, Víctor Palacios, indicated that the budget would be given within four years, without giving further details.
- Paola Palomino, representative of the Parents of Collectives of Law of Child Cancer Peru, denounced that from Palacio they asked “little hairy children” to pass themselves off as cancer patients before the television cameras, when they were not.
