Chile expands social and health programs to aid families, homeless and patients

The Chilean Civil Registry reported a 12.9% rise in marriages nationwide during the first quarter of 2026, with the Metropolitan Region recording the highest number of unions.

Regional authorities in Maule and O’Higgins activated winter assistance measures for people experiencing homelessness. The "Plan Protege Calle" in Maule has delivered over 1,190 contacts and 11,600 services since May, while O’Higgins’ "Código Azul" emergency protocol was triggered after extreme cold, leading to the opening of additional shelters, including a new facility in Rengo.

In the far north, the Arica and Parinacota Region launched a pioneering "Living Lab" that installs a geothermal heating system in school dormitories at extreme altitudes, aiming to generate unique bioclimatic data and improve student comfort.

The Ministry of Health’s oncology alert, now in its third phase, has addressed more than 90% of pending cancer cases across several regions, with the public system handling virtually all treatments. Concurrently, a new initiative in Rancagua offers high‑cost medications for cancer and other serious illnesses through the ASODI pharmacy, expanding access to treatments such as lenalidomide and dasatinib.