Chilean Winter Threatens
Hospital Situation
SANTIAGO DE CHILE - The Chilean health
sector is concerned over the coming of the
cold winter and consequent outbreaks of
respiratory diseases, as its structure was
hardly affected by the quake and later
tsunami on February 27.
The quake left several Chileans in camps and
shelters, particularly in the southern
regions of O Higgins, Maule, and Bio Bio,
with some of them facing health problems.
According to the health officials they had
26,000 beds available before the quake, and
now there are 7,000 less. As many as 71
percent of the hospital network was affected
by the catastrophe. Of the 130 hospitals in
the affected zones, 17 are out of service,
eight have structural problems, and at least
54 need to be restored. Only 51 centers are
offering services normally.
The Health Ministry hopes to recover about
2,000 beds before the coming of winter,
through tent hospitals. Other measures
include a vaccination campaign against
AH1NI, and setting up prefabricated
hospitals in a long term.
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