On May 27th – based on the guidelines established by the World Health Organization (WHO) at the World Health Assembly in May- President Sebastian Piñera presented the Health Investment Plan 2018-2022 to promote the use of telemedicine in the country. This plan includes some recommendations presented by the Commission “Por una salud digna y oportuna”, created by the president, to improve health in Chile.  The government will define in the coming weeks whether to accept another of its recommendations, which focuses on promoting the creation of a national insurance for the purchase of drugs.

This Plan will mean a US$10 billion investment to the construction of hospitals and the implementation of an electronic care system called “Hospital Digital”. It will allow access to electronic consultations to patients throughout the country by eliminating the geographical restrictions of traditional care. The government estimates that this will promote access to at least 9 new specialties for the entire Chilean population, which will mean a greater and better health offer.

The Plan was based on the recommendations presented by the National Commission “Por una salud digna y oportuna”, a technical cooperation body between doctors and Ministry of Health officials. Among its recommendations, the Commission encourages the creation of a national insurance scheme for the purchase of medicines. It suggests that it should be universal and public in nature, and that it should be financed with part of the employers’ contributions currently allocated to public health. The Commission argues that it will allow greater access to medicines at lower prices for the entire population.