Essalud leadership changes amid procurement audits in Peru

The Peruvian government has appointed accountant Hilda Sandoval as the interim executive president of Essalud. The appointment, made by the Ministry of Labor and Employment Promotion, follows a period of significant leadership instability where the entity saw eleven executive presidents between 2021 and 2026.

Minister Juan Sheput announced that this change marks a new stage for the institution, which faces scrutiny over service quality and alleged irregularities. The government has announced audits regarding medicine procurement following reports of S/ 1,800 million in purchases involving alleged overpricing. There is also discussion regarding a potential declaration of emergency for the entity.

Amidst these administrative changes, uncertainty remains regarding pending infrastructure projects, such as the technical file for the Specialized Hospital. Concerns have been raised that the institutional reorganization and investigations could lead to the paralysis of essential medical projects intended to expand care for insured citizens.