The Peruvian Ministry of Health launched the report of the needs assessment jointly undertaken by the Government of Peru and the Convention Secretariat (WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control) on 29 September 2015. The report presents an analysis on the progress, challenges and needs encountered in the implementation of the WHO FCTC, and the recommendations that will help the country meet its obligations under the Convention. The Pan American Health Organization (WHO/PAHO) participated at the event.

The mission was undertaken in late 2013, when an international team composed of the members of the Convention Secretariat, representatives of WHO/PAHO, the WHO/PAHO country office and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The evaluation involved ministries and government agencies, as well as several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in the implementation of the Convention in Peru.

The event on the launching of the report took place with the participation of Dr. Percy Minaya Leon, Deputy Health Minister; Dr. Raul Gonzalez Montero, representative of PAHO/WHO in Peru; Dr. Carlos Ayestas, executive director of the Directorate for the Promotion of Healthy Living of the Ministry of Health; Jaime Delgado, Congressman of the Republic; and Dr. Ernesto Lechuga Pino, Vice-Minister of Human Rights and Access to Justice, the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights.

The event aimed at mobilizing the various sectors of the Government towards implementing the recommendations of the needs assessment report. To review to progress of any actions that occurred since the launching two additional meetings to mobilize other sectors of the Peruvian Government are being held starting in March 2016.

On 17-18 March 2016, in Lima, a workshop will be held to review legislation to implement the WHO FCTC, including discussions of the progress in implementation and international experience in the areas of smoke-free environments and banning of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Additionally, a series of meetings of regional and local governments on the same matter will be organized across May 2016.

These meetings are funded from the post-needs assessment grant offered to Peru by the Convention Secretariat to address the needs identified during the assessment.

Access the needs assessment report at: http://www.paho.org/per/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3107:peru-presenta-evaluacion-de-necesidades-para-la-implementacion-del-convenio-marco-de-la-oms-para-el-control-del-tabaco&Itemid=900

See more pictures of the ceremony launching the report at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1234507439898203.1073741845.124007710948187&type=3