Chilean Medicine under Social Revolution

Abstract

During the last decade Chile has experienced a series of social changes under Christian Socialist (1964–1970), Marxist Socialist (1970–1973) and military (1973–1975) governments. These changes grossly affected the evolution of medicine and public health in Chile. Nevertheless, vital statistics show an overall improvement in health indexes, with a short interruption during the Marxist government. During this period medical standards and the quality of medical services declined when revolutionaries disrupted the organization of traditional socialized Chilean medicine founded 50 years ago. The vital statistics of 1974 suggest an overall recovery, but physical and human resources for health, eroded by revolution and the present acute economic crisis, have not yet begun to improve. Nevertheless, Chilean medicine has reassumed the technical character that should never have been abandoned. (N Engl J Med 295:193–197, 1976) During the last decade, Chile has experienced a complex process of soci