Peruvian doctor receives PAHO Award for Health Services Management and Leadership

Washington, D.C., September 30, 2025 (PAHO) - The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has honored Dr. July Esther Caballero Peralta of Peru with the PAHO Award for Health Services Management and Leadership 2025. The award was presented during PAHO's 62nd Directing Council, taking place this week with the participation of the highest health authorities of the Americas.

The award recognizes Dr. Caballero's leadership in expanding and strengthening mental health services in Peru, highlighting her expertise in guiding efforts to identify the needs of diverse populations, promote regulatory frameworks and technical guidelines, and contribute to the development of public policies that increase coverage and access to care, particularly for people in vulnerable situations.

Dr. Caballero is a psychiatrist with more than 20 years of experience in mental health. She holds a medical degree with specialization in General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, as well as a Master of Science. Since 2023, she has served as the head of the Mental Health Directorate at Peru's Ministry of Health (MINSA), having previously contributed to the technical team since 2018.

Throughout her career, Dr. Caballero has played a key role in the implementation of Peru's Mental Health Law, which has enabled the country to establish more than 290 Community Mental Health Centers, deploy mobile teams to care for people with severe mental disorders living on the streets, and expand integrated services for people living in in correctional facilities and for children and adolescents affected by abuse. Her work also encompasses teaching and research on issues such as psychological violence, depression, rehabilitation for severe mental disorders, and the impact of COVID-19 on mental health.

The President of PAHO's 62nd Directing Council and Minister of Health and Wellness of Barbados, Jerome Walcott, presented the award, highlighting Dr. Caballero's career and her commitment to strengthening mental health as an essential dimension of public health in the Region of the Americas.

"This award is deeply meaningful to me. It inspires us to renew our commitment, reminding us that mental health is not a marginal issue, but a fundamental human right," said Dr. Caballero upon receiving the distinction. "Mental health is an inseparable dimension of health. Yet even today it continues to be overlooked due to prejudice and stigma. For this reason, I am especially pleased that this award reaffirms the need to place mental health firmly on the regional health agenda," she added.

In her remarks, Dr. Caballero also emphasized that the recognition reflects shared leadership built through dialogue and collaboration with local government, academia, civil society organizations, and above all, with communities.

Established in 1969, this award honors outstanding contributions by governments in the Americas to improve health systems and services. The award also recognizes programs, projects, and initiatives that have demonstrated proven impact on access to health care at the national or regional level, among others.