Chile health officials roll out surgical drives and prevention campaigns to cut cancer wait times

In the Aconcagua Health Service’s 90‑day Oncology Plan, hospitals in Los Andes and San Felipe evaluated 37 cancer patients on 10 June. surgeons from the Chilean societies of Plastic Surgery and Head‑and‑Neck Surgery performed priority assessments for both GES‑covered and non‑GES cases, aiming to shorten lengthy surgical waiting lists. Director Susan Porras said the operatives will continue to fast‑track complex oncology procedures.

Meanwhile, the Valparaíso regional health authority reinforced self‑care for prostate and skin cancer. Seremi Mariol Luan urged men over 50, or those with a family history from age 40, to undergo screening and warned of melanoma signs. She highlighted the Oncology Alert’s role in identifying prolonged wait times and coordinating secondary providers, noting 339 prostate‑cancer deaths in the region in 2023.