BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentina's public health system, once comprehensive and free, has come under severe strain following President Javier Milei’s rise to power. Since his inauguration in December 2023, the radical economist has implemented significant austerity measures aimed at combating exorbitant inflation and budget deficits. These policies have drastically affected public hospitals and vulnerable populations, including the poor, retirees, and the unemployed, leaving them without essential medical treatments.
One of the most devastating cuts was the suspension of the DADSE agency, responsible for providing expensive medications to uninsured cancer patients and individuals with rare diseases. As a result, thousands of Argentines have been denied lifesaving treatments. The impact of these changes has been tragic; patient advocacy groups have reported that at least 60 cancer patients died in 2024 due to their inability to access previously covered medications. Despite a federal judge's order to resume drug deliveries, the government has appealed, arguing that DADSE has been dissolved.
Milei's administration has also severely reduced the National Cancer Institute's budget and resources, halting early detection programs for critical cancers such as breast and cervical cancer. The overall healthcare budget has been slashed by 48%, with over 2,000 employees from the Health Ministry—almost a quarter of its workforce—laid off. Such drastic cuts have triggered a resurgence of previously controlled diseases, overwhelming the healthcare system.
The National Directorate for HIV, Hepatitis, and Tuberculosis has suffered significant losses, losing 40% of its workforce and 76% of its annual budget. Hospitals are now experiencing shortages in essential supplies, including medications and testing kits, leading to growing numbers of untreated patients. Alarmingly, last year saw a 20% increase in HIV cases and a 50% spike in syphilis infections. The cases of tuberculosis also rose by 25%, with clinics unable to provide timely treatment and preventive care for at-risk individuals.
The healthcare crisis is compounded by rising costs and reduced coverage for retirees. The government has lifted price controls on prescription medications and private health plans, resulting in price increases of 250% and 118%, respectively. Public hospitals in Buenos Aires have been inundated with patients who can no longer afford private insurance or have lost their jobs and corresponding social security benefits. Reports indicate a 20%-30% increase in hospital demand compared to the same period last year.
Amid these challenges, medical professionals like those at the Garrahan Pediatric Hospital are facing unprecedented workloads. Many doctors have left for better-paying positions in private clinics or abroad, creating a hiring freeze that has further exacerbated the staffing crisis. Protests and strikes among low-paid medical residents have become frequent as working conditions deteriorate.
Moreover, vaccination efforts in Argentina have been significantly hampered. Federal funding for immunization campaigns has been frozen, leading to limited access to vaccines, even in the face of a measles outbreak that resulted in the country's first measles death in two decades. The government has also ceased renewing contracts with vaccine suppliers, disrupting vaccine deliveries across the provinces. Discussions surrounding health policy with figures like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., known for his vaccine skepticism, raise further concerns about the future approach to public health under Milei’s administration.
In summary, the sweeping austerity measures imposed by President Milei are dismantling Argentina's once-advanced public health system, resulting in dire consequences for its most vulnerable populations. With increased demand for healthcare services and reduced access to necessary treatments and vaccinations, the future of public health in Argentina looks increasingly precarious.
