Original article: Dirigenta de la CUT alerta sobre instructivos en hospitales que limitan cirugías y despidos por recortes en salud “No More Replacements and Limited Surgeries”: Health Leader Denounces Hospital Directives Amid Budget Cuts $417 Billion Cut Directly Affects Patients. The Vice President of Women’s and Gender Equality at CUT and vice president of the National Confederation of Health Workers (Fenats), Karen Palma, warned in statements to Radio Nuevo Mundo that the cuts exceeding 417 billion pesos ordered by the Finance Ministry severely impact user care. The leader harshly criticized certain politicians: “It is shocking to hear politicians say that this cut will affect hospitals but not patients.
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That is impossible; every worker in a hospital has a specific role that impacts users,” she asserted. According to Palma, written directives are already circulating within hospitals, revealing the consequences of the fiscal adjustment: “They’re issuing directives in hospitals, stating that there will be no replacements,” leading to unprecedented overload for workers. More critically, she added, “we have received information about directives that limit certain surgeries due to the cuts and also layoffs in some areas.
” Regarding non-life-threatening surgeries, she stated: “This presents a significant issue for those awaiting their operations, impacting their quality of life. ” The national leader also raised concerns about the elimination of significant programs in primary health care. In her interview with Radio Nuevo Mundo, Karen Palma noted: “A list of several programs that are being phased out has emerged; these programs are quite significant, such as afternoon care, where many municipalities currently have extended hours.
” She explained that this measure particularly affects those who work and cannot request permission from their employers: “Many people seek primary care after their work hours because they do not have the permission of their employer. ” In the context of political discussions, Palma informed Radio Nuevo Mundo that CUT is “rebuilding coordination with opposition political parties, community members, and students” to confront the policies of the far-right government. Regarding the minimum wage—whose proposed increase to 539,553 pesos was postponed in the Chamber of Deputies—the leader was adamant: “This figure is an insult to Chilean families,” advocating from the union for a “living wage to assure dignity for those reliant on their salaries.
” Unity Among Health Unions Against Budget Cuts Finally, Karen Palma highlighted to Radio Nuevo Mundo the moment of unity among health workers amid the fiscal adjustment: “From the Medical College to Fenats, as well as Fenprus and other organizations, they are all firmly against the health budget cuts,” exposing “the technical and practical implications of the negative impact this would have on the country,” concluded the leader.