Health Minister May Chomali voiced concern over an Interior Subsecretariat indication requiring health centers to share data on irregular migrant patients. The government clarified that the measure respects patient rights and aims to support specific migration procedures.
Health Minister May Chomali stated on Friday that the Health Ministry cannot release patients’ personal information because it is protected by the Sanitary Code and the Law on Patient Rights and Duties. “We will defend that absolutely,” she said in a radio interview.
Interior Subsecretary Máximo Pavez and Minister Claudio Alvarado explained that the indication only allows data requests when a migration procedure for expulsion or sanction is underway. They stressed it does not involve automatic reports or breach patient privacy.
President José Antonio Kast backed the proposal from Atacama and suggested placing police officers in health services to identify individuals. He said urgent medical care must continue while the country advances on migration order.
Right-wing figures including Marcela Cubillos and deputy Agustín Romero criticized Chomali’s stance for distancing herself from the government. The episode adds to other internal cabinet tensions on migration issues.
