Abstract

International migration and cross-border mobility are historical characteristics of the Tarapaca region. However, with increasing immigration in Chile over the last 20 years, the issue has become a prominent one, especially in public services such as health. The text's objective is to explore how interethnic relations produce obstacles to healthcare access for migrants in the Health Service of Iquique. Using ethnography, we analyze the discourse of technical-administrative officials and health professionals on the policies of access to healthcare for the migrant population. Our main conclusion is that the construction of cultural differences and emphasis on ethnicity creates barriers to healthcare access, violating the right to health for migrant women and their families.