President José Antonio Kast confirmed this Wednesday that his administration will not implement budget cuts that impact the healthcare network or the continuity of medical programs. The statement came during a protest by healthcare workers in front of the Dr. Hernán Henríquez Aravena Hospital in Temuco, sparked by uncertainty regarding the 2027 budget guidelines.
The President was in the Araucanía Region to inaugurate the TROI Araucanía Pediatric Ambulatory Oncology Center. During the event, a group of workers gathered to protest recommendations sent by Minister Jorge Quiroz for next year's budget, which suggest discontinuing certain programs and adjusting specific budget lines.
Megaphone dialogue and tension on the scene
According to reports from BioBioChile, the President used a megaphone to address the protesters and attempt to de-escalate the frustration. During the exchange, Kast emphasized that the Executive branch aims to protect the stability of the sector. “What I am telling you is that there will be no cuts that could affect healthcare, or the life of a child,” the Head of State stated, as reported by La Tercera.
The day was marked by moments of direct tension. The President engaged in a dialogue with Carlos Sepúlveda, a former Temuco councilman and member of the Communist Party, who challenged the President's stance. While Kast attempted to maintain a conversational tone, Sepúlveda expressed his discontent, stating that “this is not a conversation, it is a protest against the cuts,” according to BioBioChile.
Later, during his tour of the Aysén Region, Kast recounted how he decided to step away from security protocols to approach the group. “I broke security protocols a bit and went over to where the man with the megaphone was. I said, ‘Will you lend me the megaphone?’ He didn't want to lend it to me. He hid it, but in the end, he gave it to me,” the President explained via La Tercera.
Demands and Executive commitments
Healthcare workers presented the President with two letters containing specific demands for the sector. During the mobilization, chants such as “You don't play with people's lives!” and “Healthcare will NOT be cut” were heard, according to BioBioChile.
The President also took the opportunity to thank healthcare professionals for their work. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the work you do for all Chileans, especially the officials who are here today,” he expressed, according to CNN Chile. Furthermore, he assured that his government would guarantee the protection of the “well-done work of every official.”
Protesters raised the need for a direct link with the Ministry of Health (Minsal) to discuss the critical needs of the healthcare network. At the end of the encounter, the President left the hospital, confirming he had received the documents delivered by the unions: “I am taking both letters, Carlos,” the President noted, according to BioBioChile.
