Un análisis cualitativo de las políticas de preparación en salud en Chile

OBJECTIVE. Analyze health preparedness policies in Chile and identify their strengths and weaknesses. No other studies to date provide an analysis of the country's preparedness policies. METHODS. A desk review and semi-structured interviews with experts in emergency preparedness and response were conducted to identify the regulatory framework, key actors, and the strengths and weaknesses of health preparedness policies. RESULTS. The researchers identified 103 standards and interviewed seven preparedness experts. The reviewed standards and interviews show that Chile is in a transitional phase between the old National Civil Protection System and the new National Disaster Prevention and Response System. Only three standards were directly related to health, but the preparedness regulations provide for a multidisciplinary set of actors to address any threat. The experts gave a positive assessment of the Chilean system, although they agreed that certain weaknesses must be corrected. The country’s main strength is its disaster response experience, along with its coordination mechanisms. The main shortcomings include risk communication, mitigation, preparedness and assessment, and human resources. CONCLUSIONS. Chile has a solid regulatory framework with an all-hazards approach and a set of multisectoral institutions. The new National Disaster Prevention and Response System must build on its strengths to correct the weaknesses that limit its emergency preparedness and response capacity.