Alianza to decide next week whether or not to pursue constitutional charges against Barría

SANTIAGO.- In one week, the Alianza will decide the future of the constitutional charge against resigned Minister of Health, Soledad Barría, since, although her decision to leave the position changes the situation and the charge may lose strength, it is still a valid measure according to the deputy and member of the Health Commission, Patricio Melero (UDI).

"Constitutional charges are reserved for serious actions and we believe that this applies (…). It continues to be legitimate, to identify responsibility and set an example (…), to show that blunders of this magnitude cannot go unpunished", Melero told Radio Cooperativa.

Following the minister's resignation, the context of the charge changed since the Alianza will now have to decide whether it will attempt to place responsibility through the courts, through the measures that the victims' relatives have taken, by way of an investigative commission, through the Comptroller's Office, or by way of a constitutional charge, explained the deputy.

While referring to HIV patient scandal, Melero assured that the incident was "the cherry on top of the cake", since the Ministry of Health (MINSAL) had been reporting negative news for some time, such as the hospital debt and a lack of notification of patient rights within the Integrated Health System (AUGE).