Recently returned to Peru, Columban Priest Associate Fr Joe Ruys wrote, “I am writing this email to share some very good news regarding our Medical Centre in my former parish in Lima.
Hi Everyone,
I am writing this email to share some very good news regarding our Medical Centre in my former parish in Lima.
Over the past couple of months, a lot of talking and meetings has been taking place between Luis Quintana (our man on the ground) and the Ministry of Health.
Earlier this year the Ministry of Health adopted a new policy regarding mental health issues and consequently decided to regionalise their centres of attention. This decision meant that they had no suitable facilities available in the North of Lima. Then they remembered that for the past seven years our Medical Centre had a standing offer for the Ministry to take over the ownership and functions of the facility.
An excited Luis phoned me just over two months ago to let me know he had received a phone call from the Ministry of Health inviting him to come to a meeting. He wanted to confirm with me that our offer was still on the table and that he had my support to negotiate.
The original suggestion was that the Ministry take out a kind of ‘free of charge’ lease on the complex for a renewable period of 10 years. However, an official higher up in the line of authority became involved and suggested a permanent ‘change of ownership’ contract be drawn up. Until now this had been considered impossible by the Ministry of Health as we still did not have title to the land. Some more negotiations and tons of documentation (this is where Luis is an expert) and the contract was drawn up.
On July 03, 2018 I was invited to take part in a simple but formal ceremony at the Medical Centre where the official handover took place. The Minister for the Northern Region of Lima was present, Fr Napa SSC, volunteers who have faithfully carried the work of the centre and about 20 staff members who will now work two shifts a day (Mon - Fri) at the new Ministry of Health Medical Post.
Speeches were made by the Minister, Fr Napa SSC and myself recognising the great contribution of the two main Australian groups - Friends of Paradise, Melbourne Overseas Missions and Columban benefactors.
Rosa Sialer, our stalwart volunteer, receptionist and secretary of our local community management group said: “We are all so proud of what we have been able to achieve with the financial help from Australia. While we are sad to close this chapter with Fr Joe and his friends, we look forward with great hope to this new chapter with the involvement of the Ministry of Health. Our dreams have become a reality.”
The new centre will be a referral centre for all mental health needs for the North of Lima. It will provide State funded general health services to the local people, State subsidised medicines as well as monthly specific ‘campaigns’ which offer specialised consultations for the locals.
Sincerely, Joe
Fr Joe Ruys is a Columban Associate priest from the Archdiocese of Melbourne working in Lima, Peru
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