| Dos de Mayo National Hospital | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Barrios Altos,Lima,Peru |
| History | |
| Former name | Hospital Real de San Andrés |
| Opened | February 28, 1875 |
Dos de Mayo National Hospital (Spanish:Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo) is apublic hospital in the neighbourhood ofBarrios Altos, part of thehistoric centre of Lima,Peru. It is considered the first hospital of therepublican history of the country, and was preceded by theRoyal Hospital of Saint Andrew, itself the oldest hospital of theViceroyalty of Peru.[1]
The hospital dates back to the creation of theHospital ofOur Lady of the Conception (Spanish:Hospital de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción) in 1538, located at theJirón Lima, next to the currentConvent of Santo Domingo. The hospital was later moved to the neighbourhood ofBarrios Altos, where it became known as theRoyal Hospital of Saint Andrew (Spanish:Hospital Real de San Andrés),[2] operating until PresidentPedro Diez Canseco decreed the founding of a modern and larger hospital due to the needs of the time. Its construction was funded by the surplus income of theCharity of Lima, the existing fund of the brotherhoods that was in deposit and a government allowance amounting toS/. 2,000 per month.[3] It lasted six years and seven months in total.[2]
The new hospital was inaugurated on February 28, 1875, by then presidentManuel Pardo y Lavalle. On March 8, the inmates from the Royal Hospital were moved to the new building. During theWar of the Pacific, the hospital wasoccupied by theChilean Army from February 20, 1881, to December 29, 1883, with only children being able to receive attention.[2]
On October 5, 1885, sixth-year medical studentDaniel Alcides Carrión succumbed to his condition at the hospital. Carrión had been studying the link between the so-called Oroya fever and Peruvian wart. The disease later became known asCarrion's disease, and every year the Day of Peruvian Medicine is celebrated on the anniversary of his death.[4] Carrión is buried in a mausoleum on the premises of the hospital,[5] and was declared a national hero on October 7, 1991.[6]
Thehospice system at the end of the 19th century varied in the following way;outpatient care in 1891, first clinical laboratory in 1900. Then, treatment fortuberculosis was introduced and in 1913 night reception of patients was enabled.[2]
For fifty years, inspectors of theCharity of Lima was in charge of managing the hospital, who were chosen from among the members of the institution; Starting in 1921, the first medical director was appointed, who was Dr. Leonidas Avendaño.[7]
