In a dramatic escalation of the crisis at Hospital Claudio Vicuña, 22 doctors—including key specialists—have announced resignations effective April 27 in support of director Loreto Maturana, following health authorities' push to oust her over appointing ex-minister Jeannette Vega as medical subdirector. The move intensifies accusations of political persecution amid earlier refusals by interim designates to remove Vega.
The controversy over Jeannette Vega's appointment as medical subdirector, which began earlier this week when director Loreto Maturana named the former Social Development Minister without consulting Servicio de Salud Valparaíso-San Antonio (SSVSA) or the Ministry of Health, has deepened.
SSVSA had requested Maturana's non-voluntary resignation for loss of trust, directing interim appointees Ximena Parada, Alex Gómez, and Mauricio Cortés to remove Vega. All refused, emphasizing that 'health has no political color.' Now, 22 hospital doctors have followed suit, announcing resignations in a letter praising Maturana's management and rejecting 'political persecution' over technical grounds.
Vega's Partido por la Democracia (PPD) accuses the Partido Republicano—particularly deputy Luis Sánchez, who criticized the hire online—and likens the backlash to 1973-era 'black lists.' They defend Vega as a Universidad de Chile-trained surgeon with a public health PhD. Supporters including Valparaíso Medical College's Ignacio de la Torre and former official Bernardo Martorell underscore her expertise from roles at Fonasa and WHO.
SSVSA director Juan Castro reiterated concerns over the politicized hire, while Senator Juan Luis Castro decries discrimination and eyes intervention. The standoff leaves the hospital's leadership in limbo.
