Although Ministry of Health cover is improving, most of the population has no access to basic health care. MSF focuses on displaced populations and returnees in remote communities in the Andes mountains and adjacent jungle areas, which are geographically isolated, suffer cultural and ethnic discrimination and are affected by violence resulting from political unrest and contraband trading. Teams work on behalf of 150,000 people in the departments of Ayacucho, Huancavelica, Junin and Cuzco, training community health workers, including traditional birth attendants, in order to upgrade the quality of care, and providing management support to the Ministry of Health at the local level.
Additional support is provided during immunisation campaigns.
In 1997, health structures were renovated and supplied with basic drugs and medical material. Water and sanitation support was also given. Originally operating in three provincial districts and two Ashaninka communities, the project was extended in September 1997 to the Rio Tambo region. A similar project on behalf of a further 55,000 people operates since June 1997 in Acobamba and Angaraes provinces, Huancavelica department, and there is another in Rio Apurimac. MSF continues to run several long-term projects in Amazonas, a vast area crossed by six rivers presenting huge logistical challenges.