Health interculturality in andean communities of Cusco: evidence, barriers, and paths of transformation

Abstract

This article examines the public health service situation in the Andean peasant communities of the Cusco region, from a sociological–sanitary perspective grounded in interculturality as a principle of equity and cognitive justice. It analyzes the interaction between the state biomedical system and traditional Andean medicine, highlighting the structural, symbolic, and epistemic tensions that persist within healthcare practice. Using a qualitative methodology with a hermeneutic approach, testimonies from health professionals, community leaders, and users were collected to understand perceptions of cultural relevance in health services and the barriers faced by rural populations. The findings reveal that intercultural health approaches remain superficially applied, often limited to linguistic translation or procedural adaptation, without fully integrating ancestral knowledge or community participation in decision-making. The study concludes that strengthening an intercultural health model in Cusco requires transforming institutional structures, recognizing the epistemic value of traditional medicine, and promoting public policies based on dialogue among knowledge systems, reciprocity, and territorial inclusion.