In a joint effort between MATER, medical societies and the Los Rios Health Service, this operation covered three hospitals in the southern zone, resolving low complexity surgeries in pediatric patients. The initiative not only advances in the reduction of waiting lists, but also reinforces equitable access to children's health, ensuring timely care for those who need it most.
MARCH, 2025.- The "Growing without Waiting" program, promoted by the MATER Children's Renal Corporation, continues to expand its impact throughout Chile with a new surgical operation in the Los Ríos Region. In collaboration with the Los Rios Health Service, this March 6, 7 and 8, 60 surgeries were performed at the Lanco Hospital, the Rio Bueno Hospital and the Base Hospital of Valdivia, benefiting 59 pediatric patients from these localities who are waiting for surgical resolution of phimosis (condition that occurs when the foreskin is too tight and can not be retracted over the glans penis).
This is the third operation of the year within the framework of the "Growing up without Waiting" program, an initiative that, together with the Chilean Society of Pediatric Surgery (SCHCP) and the Chilean Society of Anesthesia (SACH), seeks to reduce the waiting list for non-GES pediatric surgeries within a maximum period of three years. Thanks to this collaborative health strategy, hundreds of children and adolescents in different regions of the country have been treated.
This effort was made possible thanks to SKY airline, which facilitated the transfer of the volunteer medical team, allowing the various specialists to mobilize to attend patients in Los Ríos.
The volunteer medical team in Los Ríos was composed of Dr. Valentina Saavedra (child surgeon), Dr. Javier Lira (child surgeon), Dr. Margarita Aldunate (child surgeon), Dr. Juan Pablo Valdivieso (child surgeon), Dr. Claudia Robin (anesthesiologist), Dr. Marco Olguín (anesthesiologist), Dr. Humaya Curi Curi (anesthesiologist), Dr. Isidora Lavado (children's surgery resident), Dr. Catalina Neira (children's surgery resident), Dr. Nelly Bustos (children's surgery resident) and Dr. Nicolás Falcón (children's surgery resident). This team was led by Dr. Alexandra Bastián (anesthesiologist), Dr. María José Subiabre (children's surgeon), Dr. Wilson Lagos (head of children's surgery at the Base Hospital of Valdivia) and Dr. Josefina Moreno (anesthesiologist). MATER's nurse, Antonia Heusser, was in charge of the coordination of the operation.
"The joint work between the public and private sectors has been fundamental to provide timely attention to so many children and families who have waited too long for surgery. This program not only improves the health of these patients, but also contributes to strengthen the child care networks in Chile, achieving tangible results in a short time", says Dr. José Manuel Escala, founder and president of MATER.
In the same context, the director of the Los Rios Health Service, Dr. Marianela Rubilar, adds: "We are committed to continue reducing waiting times for our patients, and this operation is a clear example of how collaboration with institutions such as the MATER Corporation allows us to advance in this objective. Thanks to this joint work, 59 children from our region received their surgery in shorter times, thus improving their quality of life and that of their families. We thank the medical, surgical and administrative teams that made this operation possible, both from our network and from Corporación MATER and the medical societies, reaffirming our commitment to the health of our community".
It should be noted that during the second half of 2024, "Growing up without waiting" benefited more than 250 patients in cities such as Rancagua, Ancud, Quellón and San Felipe. So far in 2025, operations have already been carried out in San Antonio and Quillota, in addition to this one in Los Ríos, and for the remainder of March, new sessions are planned in Santa Cruz, Parral and Talagante, giving continuity to a demanding annual calendar.
The expansion of the program reaffirms the commitment of MATER and its strategic partners with the elimination of the pediatric surgical waiting list. With each operation, progress is made in transforming the reality of children and adolescents in Chile, ensuring timely access to surgical care and contributing to a more equitable health system for all.
