Quellón Hospital hyperbaric chamber remains non-operational

Regional councilors in Los Lagos are calling for urgent measures regarding the non-operational hyperbaric chamber at the new Hospital de Quellón. Local artisanal fishing leaders have expressed grave concerns that the lack of functioning equipment puts the lives of shellfish divers at daily risk due to potential decompression accidents.

While the equipment is installed at the hospital, it remains unavailable for emergencies due to technical observations and delays in obtaining necessary sanitary authorizations. Currently, divers requiring decompression treatment must be transported to the Hospital de Ancud, where the only operational chamber in the province is located.