Arica y Parinacota officials call for urgent healthcare infrastructure

Senators from the Health Commission and the Special Commission on Extreme Zones and Special Territories conducted visits to the Arica y Parinacota region, holding sessions in Putre and Arica on October 1 and 2.

Local authorities from Putre, General Lagos, Arica, and Camarones highlighted several critical issues, including a crisis in primary and secondary healthcare, low birth rates, insufficient infrastructure and investment, connectivity problems, and crime. Officials noted that the exodus of families and declining birth rates are directly linked to a lack of medical specialists and basic infrastructure.

In response, senators agreed to process formal information requests regarding gaps in qualified healthcare personnel. The goal is to ensure that complex conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, can be treated locally in the northernmost part of the country. Legislators also pledged to monitor the 2027 Ministry of Health budget to ensure adequate resource allocation for the region.