Fábrega bids farewell to Ministry, Bachelet appoints Erazo as new leader

SANTIAGO.- The Ministry of Health underwent major surgery this morning after President Michelle Bachelet appointed a new leader for the sector and accepted the resignation of the Undersecretary of Medical Services, Ricardo Fábrega, who received harsh criticism from several sources stemming from problems detected in various public hospitals throughout the country.

The President appointed Álvaro Erazo Latorre (PS) to replace resigned Minister María Soledad Barría. Until now, Erazo had been serving as the Intendent of the Metropolitan Region and was formerly the Director of Fonasa and the Undersecretary of Health.

As of today, Julio Montt Vidal (DC) will take over as the new Undersecretary of Medical Services. Montt previously served as the director of Luis Tisné Hospital, leader of the Medical Association and is the son of the former Minister of Health during the administration of Patricio Aylwin, Julio Montt Momberg.

Erazo was sworn in during a brief and surprising ceremony held at the Toesca room of the La Moneda presidential palace along with ministers of the political committee, the minister until today, Jeanette Vega, and the resigned Minister of Health, María Soledad Barría.