Health crisis: mass layoffs and cuts harm care for vulnerable patients.

The current situation of the healthcare system in the country is alarming, marked by severe cuts and administrative decisions that are seriously affecting the lives of thousands of patients. The Ministry of Health has announced the intervention of the Bonaparte Hospital, resulting in the dismissal of 1,400 workers in hospitals and specialized institutes. This reduction in staff, equivalent to 16% of the workforce, has been implemented in the context of a fiscal adjustment that has left many citizens without access to the medical treatments they need. Testimonies from patients like María Teresa Troiano underscore the severity of the situation. María Teresa, who had been receiving treatment for skin cancer since 2016, was informed in December 2023 that her medication would no longer be available due to a lack of delivery from the suppliers selected by the government. Her situation is emblematic of a series of failures in public health administration that have cost lives. "Marité was killed twice," laments her husband, who has witnessed how bureaucracy and the lack of medications deteriorated his wife's health until it led to her death. Not only is María Teresa's case concerning, but many non-governmental organizations have raised alarms about the impact of these cuts on the treatment of diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV. In particular, the National Front for HIV, Hepatitis, and Tuberculosis has denounced the closure of the coordinations that addressed these diseases, leading to a notable increase in cases and mortality. The data is discouraging: a 20% increase in tuberculosis cases and an exponential growth in syphilis infections have been reported. Officials from the Ministry of Health have attempted to justify the layoffs and cuts, arguing that it was a necessary restructuring. However, the responses are insufficient in light of the reality patients are facing. Although they assure that the functions of the eliminated coordinations will be taken over by other departments, the lack of resources and trained personnel casts doubt on the effectiveness of this measure. Official documentation also suggests that many of the remaining workers have contracts with expiration dates, creating uncertainty about the stability of care. In a context where infectious diseases are on the rise, the Ministry of Health has also announced that it will maintain the same budget for 2023 through 2025, despite the growing demand for care. According to specialists, this financial stagnation is unsustainable and further harms an already weakened healthcare system. Doctor Oscar Atienza has indicated that the increase in tuberculosis cases is directly related to the deterioration of social conditions, such as malnutrition and overcrowding. Furthermore, the dismantling of specialized teams and the lack of treatments are leaving many patients, especially in the area of mental health, without the care they require. Workers at the Bonaparte Hospital have expressed concern that the reduction in staff prevents them from receiving new patients, threatening not only the continuity of service but also the lives of those who depend on these treatments. The Argentine Alliance of Patients has warned of a significant regression in health investment, leading to mass layoffs and the closure of care centers. The situation is further aggravated by the interruption in the delivery of medications by the Directorate of Direct Assistance for Special Situations (Dadse), which has resulted in the deaths of several oncology patients. The closure of 50 referral centers and the lack of resources have left many without access to vital medication, causing a domino effect that results in a serious deterioration of public health. The recent suspension of cooperatives and mutuals by the Ministry of Human Capital, under the pretext of irregularities, has also affected numerous organizations that provided health and social assistance services. Such measures not only dismantle care infrastructure but also limit access options for vulnerable groups. As if that weren't enough, the deregulation of public transport and the strict requirements imposed to access free medications have exacerbated the crisis. Patients who could previously receive treatments for free now face even higher barriers, limiting their ability to access the necessary care. The sum of all these factors presents a grim scenario for public health in the country. The lack of medications, the mass dismissal of staff, and the elimination of essential services are leading to an alarming deterioration in healthcare. The situation requires an immediate and effective response, prioritizing the health of the population above economic decisions that are costing lives. The community and health professionals must unite to demand changes and safeguard the right to health for all citizens.