Rev. Thomas Eckert, C.S.C., director of the Holy Cross Mission Center, paid a post-COVID visit to the Policlínico Parroquial Hermano Andrés (Polyclinico) in San Juan de Lurigancho, Peru, an area commonly known as Canto Grande. The clinic was inaugurated in 2005 to provide quality care to the population of Canto Grande.
The Polyclinico is a ministry that provides primary health care services through direct care in general medicine, specialized medicine, and the complementary services most required by the population of Canto Grande, a district located northeast of the city of Lima. With an estimated population of more than a million people, prevention is a central axis of the work done at the clinic. In addition, the organization provides various advocacy and training activities for people with scarce economic resources who are living in extreme poverty.
The Polyclinico is located within the Pastoral de Salud (Health Ministry) of the El Señor de la Esperanza Parish (Lord of Hope parish). It has set a benchmark for providing quality medical services and personalized attention for every patient with very few resources. The clinic collaborates with other public and private sector institutions to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable population and achieve the comprehensive health of the person, the family, and the community. In addition, the clinic develops outreach, education, and promotion programs to implement prevention measures in the health field, giving priority to those most in need.
Fr. Tom visited the clinic along with Rev. José E. Ahumada, C.S.C., district superior of Chile-Perú. While visiting, they saw the impact of new blood test equipment, custom OB-GYN treatment rooms, and physical therapy equipment obtained through the financial support of the Holy Cross Mission Center.
