The former health minister in Sebastián Piñera’s administration will once again serve as honorary president of Chile’s largest healthcare industry trade show. In this role, he analyzed the current state of the sector, making clear what the objectives of the 2026 edition of the fair should be.
Date
Monday 15 de June de 2026
According to the latest data from the Chilean Safety Association, the Chilean healthcare system is under pressure from 2.4 million patients awaiting an appointment with a specialist and nearly 600,000 awaiting surgery. It is against this challenging backdrop that a new edition of ExpoSalud will take place this coming November.
Dr. Enrique Paris has in-depth knowledge of the issues currently plaguing public health. In addition to having served as president of the Medical Association on two occasions, Paris was Minister of Health during Sebastián Piñera’s second term, precisely at the most critical moment of the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile. He is currently the medical director of the MEDS Clinic and, for the second consecutive year, honorary president of ExpoSalud, a forum for discussing the present and future of the national healthcare ecosystem.
What are your expectations for the 2026 edition of ExpoSalud?
That there will be an increase in the number of visitors and exhibitors and, most importantly, that doctors and healthcare staff will have the opportunity to learn about new technologies and new ways of working. I hope they participate in the colloquia and scientific exhibitions, listen to the experiences of the guest speakers, and leave with a very positive impression of the fair.
How important are events like ExpoSalud for the healthcare sector in Chile?
To me, it’s extremely important. I’ve supported this type of initiative ever since I was president of the Medical Association. I believe it’s very important for the Chilean and Latin American healthcare systems because people come from other countries, allowing us to learn about technological advancements, scientific advancements, and even educational advancements.
Furthermore, it allows the entire healthcare team to participate; it’s not just designed for doctors.Additionally, from an economic standpoint—which is very important for a country like ours—a wide range of resources are negotiated at this fair that help us better care for our patients, and I think that’s a very positive thing.
What do you think are the main challenges facing the healthcare sector in our country today?
I believe there are two related issues here, which I would divide into two categories: the cancer waiting list and the general waiting list. Today, we have two and a half million people waiting for care from a specialist and nearly 600,000 waiting for surgery. And obviously, ExpoSalud, with everything it showcases and all the support it provides to healthcare teams, contributes—or can contribute—to reducing these numbers. Because if it introduces innovative solutions, for example, a surgical procedure that takes two hours can be reduced to half an hour.
What lessons do you think the pandemic era left for the healthcare sector regarding waiting lists?
For me, one of the main lessons from the pandemic is that, if you know a pandemic or a serious health crisis is coming, you have to be prepared in advance.
That is why we procured medical equipment, vaccines, medications—whatever is necessary to adequately care for the population. Furthermore, and I want to emphasize this, public-private collaboration was key. We must be clear that without public-private collaboration, we will not be able to overcome the health challenges facing Chile. And ExpoSalud is a place where that collaboration takes place. There can be dialogue between leaders from both sectors, and I would very much like to reach a general agreement for the good of the country. If that happens, I dare say that we can overcome any challenge we face.
What’s Coming at ExpoSalud 2026
ExpoSalud 2026 will take place from November 10 to 12 at Espacio Riesco. Organized by FISA, part of the GL events Chile group. The exhibition will aim to bring together all sectors of the healthcare industry in a single space, including pharmaceutical laboratories, whose presence is one of the major highlights of this year’s fair.
In addition, this year’s edition will once again feature an International Congress co-organized academically with Brazil’s Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein—considered one of the most prestigious healthcare centers in Latin America—where various topics related to the sector will be addressed.
In addition, there will be certified workshops, specialized medical sessions, networking opportunities, and meetings between public and private sector stakeholders, with a focus on incorporating innovation, technology, and solutions that will enable us to move toward more efficient care in the coming years.
“I want to invite you to be amazed by ExpoSalud. There will be many new developments, many elements that will help us better care for patients. Additionally, there is knowledge acquisition in different areas and collaboration with Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, which is a great partnership from which we can benefit greatly,” Paris concluded.
