The controversy over the expedited hip surgery for Health Minister Ximena Aguilera's mother at Hospital del Salvador has grown, with reports of postponed patients, including one who died. Opposition lawmakers demand investigations into possible influence peddling. The Health Ministry has declined to comment on the case.
The controversy emerged on Monday when La Tercera revealed that Health Minister Ximena Aguilera's mother underwent hip fracture surgery at Hospital del Salvador in less time than usual for such procedures. Hospital records note it as an administrative decision, with user testimonies alleging unequal treatment in the public facility.
The case took on political weight as the UDI announced it would approach the Comptroller General of the Republic to gather evidence, requesting summons for the minister and the hospital director before the Chamber of Deputies and Deputies' Health Commission.
New details surfaced on New Year's Eve via Canal 13, which accessed internal documents showing a laparotomy patient—abdominal surgical opening—was postponed to prioritize the minister's mother's surgery, and died three days later. Senator Juan Luis Castro (PS), from the Senate Health Commission, stated that 'it seems there were 11 patients in the same condition needing a hip prosthesis, waiting for the same intervention'.
In response, Deputy Andrés Celis (RN) announced he will file a complaint with the Public Ministry for alleged influence peddling: 'New evidence keeps emerging every day... It cannot be that similar surgeries for eleven people were postponed'. Fellow deputy Agustín Romero (Republican) stressed the need for 'a deep and transparent institutional review'. From the government side, Deputy Héctor Barría (DC) said 'it's not the best way to start the year' and they await details from the Comptroller.
UDI Deputy Daniel Lilayu criticized that 'new evidence categorically contradicts the initial version', urging the Prosecutor's Office to investigate, especially given the patient's death. Senator Castro called for clarification of the situation, including a laparostomy case, and hoped for a 'medical audit report' with the event log.
The Republican bench demands the minister's resignation. Deputy Luis Fernando Sánchez stated: 'It seems utterly unacceptable... the minister should resign today in the face of such a serious case'. The Health Ministry declined to address the issue.
