The Acute Respiratory Infections Program at the return of democracy, a tradition that is rebuilding

Abstract

he Program for Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) in children was developed nationwide beginning in the 1990s by the Ministry of Health, coinciding with the return to democracy.

This program is the result of extensive efforts that started by identifying the main causes of these illnesses and related deaths. It then progressed to determining appropriate treatments and establishing specific standards and procedures to address these issues systematically across the Chilean public health system, following a model used by previous National Health Service programs. The formulation of this program had been delayed during the dictatorship.

This study utilized a historiographic review of primary sources, focusing on social medical literature, official program documents, and oral accounts from various individuals who participated in its initial studies and phases of implementation. This includes testimonies from authorities involved in executing the program across the country.

The National Program for Respiratory Diseases in children under one year of age is a con-tinuation of the tradition established in the sixties with the National Health System. This program represents a commitment to improving child health and reflects the values of social medicine and the history of public health.