Iquique Hospital investigation report to be released on Friday

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SANTIAGO.- This Friday the Minister of Health, María Soledad Barría, will reveal the results of an investigation into the Iquique Hospital. The medical center has fallen under public scrutiny following a scandal that has surfaced due to cases of severe HIV-positive patients that were not promptly informed of their status.

The Undersecretary of Health, Jeannette Vega, has stated that the minister will deliver a proposal on Friday indicating immediate actions to be taken, as well as a plan to improve administration over the next few months.

During an interview with Radio ADN, Vega asserted that "quite a commotion" had been caused at the hospital and acknowledged that the hospital employees have been quite disheartened by the situation.

While commenting on the investigation that is being performed to identify the cause of the deficient administration at the hospital, the undersecretary mentioned an inefficient use of hospital beds and physical space, stating that there is an ongoing problem with how the establishment is managed due to the high turnover rate of hospital directors.

"They don't even sit down before they leave, so there are improvement plans and processes that remain up in the air. It is difficult to recruit people to work in the public sector, especially in the more rural areas of the country. The salaries do not meet expectations and cannot compete in the market", she explained.