Following initial reports of expedited hip surgery for Health Minister Ximena Aguilera's mother at Hospital del Salvador—displacing a laparotomy patient who died three days later—additional lawmakers have demanded investigations, potential complaints to the Public Ministry, and the minister's resignation. The scandal underscores broader issues in public health waitlist management.
The controversy, first revealed by La Tercera and detailed further by Canal 13 on New Year's Eve, showed hospital records indicating Aguilera's mother was admitted and operated on within 10 hours, prioritizing her over others, including 11 hip surgery patients and a laparotomy case that ended fatally.
Building on earlier reactions—including UDI requests to the Comptroller General, Senator Juan Luis Castro's call for a medical audit, and demands from deputies like Andrés Celis (RN) for influence peddling complaints—new criticism has emerged. Deputy Hernán Palma (Frevs), Health Commission member, labeled it 'unpresentable,' citing corruption in resource handling.
Johannes Kaiser (PNL) deemed the minister 'untenable' on social media, urging criminal action. Republican Party's Chiara Barchiesi highlighted 'legitimate doubts' against normalizing line-skipping, while Agustín Romero and Luis Fernando Sánchez demanded a thorough review and immediate resignation. Jorge Guzmán (Evópoli) called it 'immoral,' invoking constitutional equality, and Daniel Lilayú (UDI) pushed for Prosecutor's Office investigation due to the death's gravity.
Senate Health Commission president Iván Flores (DC) opted against summoning Aguilera, deferring to the Chamber of Deputies. The case amplifies concerns over public health waitlists affecting 85% of vulnerable patients, with the Health Ministry declining comment.
