Puerto Natales is a small port city in a remote region of Chilean Patagonia. Historically a port town servicing the sheep industry, the city is now a popular tourism location and staging point for tours and excursions into the Torres del Paine National Park. The high season is from Nov – March, when weather conditions in the area are most pleasant, with severe and inclement weather conditions likely during the winter months (June-Sept)
Medical Facilities
Puerto Natales Hospital
Size: 70 beds + 3 ICU
Capabilities: Emergency Care, Trauma, General Surgery, Psychiatry
Puerto Natales Hospital is a small but modern regional hospital. Built in 2017, the hospital services the local population as well as a growing tourist population during the high season (Dec-March). The hospital has an emergency department and general surgery capabilities. Due to the size of the hospital, complex medical cases requiring more specialized care may require evacuation via air ambulance to a large specialty hospital in Santiago.
Evacuation Options
Due to the remote nature and limited size and facilities at PN Hospital, complex medical cases (Neurology, Cardiology, Burns etc) may require transport by air to a large population center with specialty hospitals. The two nearest options for high level care are Santiago, Chile and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Both approximately 3-4hrs flight time, dependent on conditions. More stable patients may be considered for longer range transfers directly to their home country via air. The processing time for landing permits for non- Chilean aircraft operators to fly in to Chile is currently 72hrs+.
Recommendations
We recommend transferring complex patients to Santiago as the first option. The transfer of patients via air ambulance outside of Chile may considered, but it would incur delays and require the necessary cross-border flight permits and immigration formalities, dependent on the patient’s nationality. Hospitals in Santiago can offer a high standard of care, and with further treatment, patients may also then be considered for repatriation options via commercial airline, either independently or with a medical escort.
