Public Health Minister Víctor Atallah confirmed on 27 March 2026 that Clínica Estética Diosa, the facility in Santiago recently shuttered following the death of a 32-year-old patient, was only licensed for outpatient consultations and lacked the legal permits to perform surgical procedures.
The victim, identified as Geraldín Hernández, died during a cosmetic intervention at the clinic located in the Los Jardines Metropolitanos sector. Following the incident, the Ministry of Public Health’s licensing department moved to close the facility entirely.
Illegal operation and judicial referral
Minister Atallah stated that the clinic “violated established protocols” by overstepping its licensed scope of practice. He emphasized that the case is now being transitioned to the judicial system for a formal investigation.
National crackdown on unlicensed centers
The incident comes amid an intensive campaign by the Ministry of Public Health to regulate the aesthetic surgery sector. Minister Atallah reported that over 1,000 non-compliant centers have been closed recently, contributing to a 60% reduction in health complications related to cosmetic surgeries nationwide.
The Ministry attributes this decline to both stricter enforcement and increased public awareness. Atallah urged citizens to verify the credentials of any medical facility before undergoing surgery, noting that the Ministry maintains an official list of accredited centers.
“The body cannot withstand these types of [unauthorized] procedures, and that is when problems arise,” Atallah warned.
The family of Geraldín Hernández continues to demand justice and transparency from authorities as the National Police and the Public Prosecutor’s Office begin their review of the clinic’s operations.
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Listin Diario
N Digital
30 March 2026