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Original article: Emblemático hospital Sótero del Río tiene presupuesto hasta agosto: “Motosierra en salud”, acusan funcionarios

Report States Sótero del Río Hospital Secures Funding Only Until August

Chile’s largest public hospital, Sótero del Río, which serves over 1.5 million residents in the Cordillera Province, will have operating funds available only until August, as reported by Puente Alto Mayor Matías Toledo in an interview with El País.

The announced cut of 3.182 million pesos (approximately 3.57 million dollars) communicated by the Ministry of Health in mid-May accounts for 1.1% of its operational budget. Toledo commented to the Spanish media: “It may be true that they are cutting the increase, but that was what was projected during the budget discussion, and one cannot change the rules midway through the game.”

Debt of 21.385 Million and “Disastrous” Working Conditions

The health center is burdened by a debt of 21.385 million pesos (around 23.9 million dollars), according to a financial report from the first quarter obtained by El País.

Roxana Guajardo, president of the Association of Professionals at Sótero del Río Hospital (Apruss), described the challenges: “Two weeks ago, there wasn’t money to buy food for hospitalized patients; there is water leaking in the Pediatric ICU, bathrooms that don’t function or aren’t cleaned; lack of gel and paper sheets for electrocardiograms.” She added: “The issue is that suppliers are no longer trusting Sótero,” because they aren’t being paid.

 “Instead of a Scalpel, They Used a Chainsaw on Health”

Dr. Juan Carlos Said, who worked as an internist for eight years at the hospital, described it to El País as a high-complexity facility that “lives on the edge.” The public policy expert harshly criticized the government’s approach: “I believe the government started with a plan for cuts, but not for efficiency. Instead of a scalpel, they used a chainsaw in health, and when one cuts with a chainsaw, greater efficiency isn’t achieved.” His statements reflect the frustration among staff regarding what they deem a disproportionate adjustment.

Health Minister May Chomali has defended that the 2.5% cut to the health budget (413.000 million pesos) will only result in an “operational” reduction, protecting direct patient care. However, international media revealed that a document from the Undersecretariat of Health Networks instructs to “apply review and cuts in replacements, overtime for personnel, medical fees, and absenteeism.” Toledo reported that the hospital director told him: “If the cardiologist takes medical leave, the hospital no longer has a cardiologist.” Guajardo confirmed that absences are currently not being replaced.

The hospital faces enormous demand. In 2025, it conducted 360,737 medical consultations, over 10,000 examinations daily, and performed 44% of liver transplants in Chile. The waiting list hovers around 90,000 patients. El País verified that the Emergency Room is on red alert (over 60 patients hospitalized) and that three-quarters of emergencies are from local residents, who may wait up to 36 hours for hospitalization. Juan, a 66-year-old worker, stated to the media: “The lower middle class, like us, doesn’t see the changes they always promise. All we can do is work until our bodies can’t take it anymore.”

In 2024 and 2023, there were shootings at the facility. El País reported that the previous government committed to securing the resuscitation room, but the works were halted because the hospital didn’t pay the responsible company. Work was only completed this Monday, Guajardo noted.

Across the street, construction is underway for the new hospital facilities, expected to open in late 2027. However, neither the mayor nor the staff know if budget cuts will impact its construction. An emergency physician who preferred not to reveal her name admitted to El País that she only accepts 12-hour shifts because working 24 hours at Sótero is “brutal,” dealing with multiple trauma cases, heart attacks, and victims of knife and gun injuries.

La entrada Sótero del Río Hospital Faces Budget Crisis: Funds Only Available Until August Amidst Heavy Debt and Drastic Cuts se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.