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Why has Peru had such a bad pandemic?

Peru has suffered one of the highest excess death levels in the world during the pandemic. Politicians failed to take account of the structure of society and a weak health system.

Peru has suffered one of the highest excess death levels in the world. The government failed to take account of the structure of society and the needs of its people in its response to the pandemic. A culture of corruption and political turmoil are persistent themes that have led to an underfunded health system and a lack of focus how Peruvian people would be able to cope during the dark months of a deadly pandemic. Instead vast numbers of casual workers lost their jobs and started to trek home, taking the virus with them. Also remote communities were cut off by the freeze on transport and unable to get access to vital medical supplies, amid a dwindling supply of oxygen to treat them. We take a look at what lies beneath Peru’s terrible experience during the pandemic.

Presenter: Tanya Beckett
Producer: Nathan Gower

(Peruvians protest at a political rally, March 25, 2021. Credit: Ernesto Benavides/Getty Images)

Available now

23 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Thu 8 Apr 2021 07:06GMT
  • Thu 8 Apr 2021 14:06GMT
  • Thu 8 Apr 2021 21:06GMT
  • Sun 11 Apr 2021 11:06GMT

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