Milei wants to destroy public health care through austerity measures and privatization despite widespread resistance

dossier

Verteidigung der öffentlichen Gesundheit in Argentinien Fesprosa (Gewerkschaftsverband der Angehörigen der Gesundheitsberufe) “With strikes, sit-ins and mass mobilizations, this major struggle has been going on for two months in Bariloche and for four weeks in the province of Río Negro. The governor - who came to power with the support of Peronism - applies in the province the adjustment that Milei applies at the national level. (…) In recent weeks, Río Negro hospitals across the province have carried out days of strikes, struggles and mobilizations. The staff of hospitals and public health centers have taken to the streets to defend their wages, which are not even enough for a basic food basket, i.e. poverty wages; but their demand is also to guarantee healthcare that meets the needs of their patients. The hospitals have electrified walls, rainy roofs, lights that don't work. Broken stretchers and mattresses. Elements are missing to work and care for patients…” span.Report from April 2, 2024 in La Izquierda Diario externer Link from Río Negro as an example of the defense of public health care throughout the country:

Garrahan Hospital workers denounce union harassment: threats of firing, disciplinary action and suspension
“Garrahan Hospital workers denounce union harassment
Although they have achieved a significant wage increase, the conflict in the hospital continues and those responsible are responding with sanctions. “They want to portray us as the problem,” they explain.
In October, Garrahan Hospital workers' struggle secured a 61% increase in basic salary, retroactive to October 2025. However, the conflict between health workers and the authorities is not yet over: workers are demanding new appointments as they have lost more than 300 professionals, the implementation of the Pediatric Emergency Law and improvements to infrastructure.
"For three years, new staff have not been recruited in a hospital of this type, which has increased the workload. At the same time, they want to portray us, who were at the forefront of the conflict, as the problem and have launched a campaign of criminalization," Gerardo Oroz, the representative of the Association of Civil Servants (ATE) at Garrahan Hospital, told Radio 750.
But the hospital management's offensive is not only aimed at undermining the reputation of the employees. So far, 40 disciplinary proceedings have been initiated and 11 people, including Oroz, have been threatened with dismissal. Suspensions are to be imposed on another 30 employees.
“The arguments are all ridiculous, because here there were mobilizations and union actions in which the vast majority of hospital employees were involved,” countered the union representative on “Lo viejo funciona”. “If you ask any doctor, nurse or technician, whether closely associated with the struggle or not, they will say that the actions were completely legal,” he stressed.
In response, a solidarity rally in defense of the facility took place in front of the hospital on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Garrahan Hospital officials have pushed a different narrative, one of increased investment in the hospital. However, the ATE union assures that no improvements can be seen in the building.
“We know that management has set up a bunker with shiny toilets and that the (staff) locker rooms are completely run down,” Oroz continued.
Similar to the case of emergency care for people with disabilities, employees are demanding the implementation of the emergency law in pediatrics, which was passed by the legislature but has not yet been implemented by the executive branch. Now it is about to expire one year, the period of validity specified in the legal text. “The problem is that the judiciary has not accepted any of our claims and this shows a very strong complicity between the judiciary and the government,” explained the ATE representative…” span.Report from September 16, 2026 in Página|12 (machine translated)
It's worth fighting: Lessons from the legally won strike at Garrahan Hospital in Argentina against tight budgets and sanctions against the fight
- It's worth fighting - lessons from the Garrahan Hospital strike
  “Staff shortages, overwork, real wage losses and cuts have long been part of everyday life in hospitals and care facilities - whether in Argentina, the USA or Germany. Savings are being made everywhere in the name of tight budgets – at the expense of employees and patients. That's precisely why it's worth taking a look at fights in which this logic was broken. The strike at the Garrahan Children's Hospital in Buenos Aires shows that successful resistance is possible - even under extreme conditions. A solidarity campaign by the international movement ISL is currently underway - because several employees, including the union secretary who led the fight and is a member of the MST, were thrown out after their industrial action.
  On February 3, in an unprecedented move, national head of cabinet Manuel Adorni told the media that 10 political leaders from the hospital would be fired and 29 others would be punished.
  As MST, we played a central role in organizing this. This article traces how this struggle was waged, what role anti-bureaucratic unionism played, and what lessons can be learned for healthcare workers internationally. Because one thing is clear: resistance to the attacks is not only necessary, but possible!.." Article by Mariano Rosa, MST, Argentina from Fight! Revolutionary women's newspaperon March 14, 2026 at arbeiterinnenmacht.de , see:
- Fighting is worth it. The judiciary ruled in favor of the employees of the Garrahan Hospital and called for the investigation to be stopped
  “In a setback for the government and a tribute to those who put up an enormous fight and secured a 61% increase, the labor court on Monday ordered the sanctions announced earlier this month to be suspended. On Thursday, hospital staff will call for a “hug” at 1 p.m. (…) However, Esteban Argañaraz, employee of the hospital, member of the Marrón association and delegate of the works council of the ATE union, explained: "The labor court has ruled in favor of the Garrahan workers and calls for the investigation proceedings against those who fought to be stopped. We know that they will appeal, but we remain united until all prosecution cases are closed." He also stressed that the order to lift these sanctions was “the result of our struggle and popular support.”…” span.Report from the CABA editorial team from February 24th in La Izquierda Diario (machine translated)
- See the history here directly and also below:
Garrahan Hospital: Strike against dismissals and suspensions, but also against labor reform...
“The General Assembly of Garrahan Hospital has decided to hold a strike and demonstration this Wednesday.
As part of a new government attack on those who led the massive struggle that won it a 61 percent wage increase, the pediatric giant's struggling workers decided to take action and take part in the mobilization against labor reform on February 11th.
On Monday, Garrahan hospital workers, organized in the ATE union, the APyT and as independents, held a meeting to decide on the next steps after Manuel Adorni last week announced an attack on those who led last year's major struggle that brought a 61% wage increase but also showed the way to fight back against the government.
The government and hospital management want to remove immunity in order to fire and suspend dozens of workers in retaliation for their enormous battle for their incomes in 2025, which they won thanks to the solidarity of their fellow human beings.
The head of the cabinet announced that ten delegates would be stripped of their immunity and subsequently dismissed. At the same time, he announced 29 suspensions. They are trying to punish the very people who are symbols of a great popular movement that, through their struggle, pushed through the law on emergency pediatric care. The answer wasn't long in coming, and the pediatrician giant proved it was worth fighting for. And so they will follow their own example. They voted to go on strike Wednesday against layoffs and suspensions. But also against the labor reform, which is to be discussed in the Senate on the same day. (…)
Other resolutions at today's meeting were:
– Hug (solidarity rally) of Garrahan 26/02
– Petition against sanctions against workers and the cancellation of the falsified investigation file
– Campaign against the 71 contracts for on-call substitutes.
– Revival of the Fight Fund…” span.Report from February 9, 26 on La Izquierda Diario (machine translated), see the background:
- Dossier:Attacks on labor and strike law in Milei's “Enabling Act” and the labor market reform
- “They want to destroy the Garrahan”: ATE denounces persecution, dismissals and hollowing out of the hospital
  “The representative of the ATE Garrahan union, Verónica Moria Pietropablo, spoke to NEA HOY, denouncing an action by the national government and the hospital management against workers and union representatives, which involves disciplinary proceedings, dismissals and hidden dismissals. She warned that this was part of a process of erosion that was endangering pediatric healthcare and the continuity of highly complex medical care.
  As part of the escalating conflict between Garrahan hospital workers and the national government led by Javier Milei, ATE Garrahan spokeswoman Verónica Moria Pietropablo warned of a series of measures that she said represent an attempt to destroy the country's most important pediatric facility. Disciplinary proceedings, dismissals, precarious employment contracts and a sharp deterioration in working conditions are part of the scenario that the hospital is currently experiencing.
  “What is happening now is that the government is pushing ahead with its attempt to close the hospital and is attacking us on various fronts,” Pietropablo said, referring to the investigations against activists and delegates who demonstrated in front of the hospital management on October 30. (…)
  In this context, he emphasized that this is not just a labor law claim. "We defend our jobs and access to public health care for many children who have no other option to use it. Our hospital offers highly complex treatments and does not charge a cent for it," he explained, pointing out at the same time that the constant overload leads to the loss of specialists…” span.Contribution from Redacción NEA HOY from February 6, 2026 (machine translated)
- Garrahan in the fight: ATE opposes request to waive immunity to take action against hospital employees
  “The national government's new attack on the sector is aimed at those who have union responsibility within the organization.
  As part of the investigation launched two months ago by the hospital authorities against 41 Garrahan Hospital staff, the national government announced that it would request the waiver of immunity in order to secure their dismissal. ATE is taking coercive measures in the face of this new attack on those fighting to defend workers' rights.
  Rodolfo Aguiar, Secretary General of the ATE Nacional, stated: "The regular exercise of a right can never be considered a crime. Having rights is neither left nor right, but human, and persecuting those who demand these rights is fascist. The attempt to deprive union representatives of immunity and dismiss them is illegal. It is a direct attack on the workers who, together with the population, instigated a conflict in the Garrahan Hospital and managed to destroy the government “You showed her that health is not a business.”
  For his part, Alejandro Lipcovich, Secretary General of the Works Council of ATE Garrahan, explained: “It is a completely fabricated investigation aimed at attacking those who were at the forefront of the struggle, in particular the union leaders of ATE and APyT, as well as activists from various sectors”…” span.Statement from ATE dated February 4, 2026 (machine translated)
- Argentina: Solidarity with the Garrahan Hospital. The government is trying to destroy the leadership of an exemplary movement
  “On February 3, in an unprecedented move, national head of cabinet Manuel Adorni told the media that 10 political leaders from the hospital would be fired and 29 others would be punished. He did so in a social media post with the menacing title, “Whoever commits the crime must serve the punishment.” The wickedness of the government is proportionate to the blow it has suffered from this exemplary struggle, which has won an unprecedented victory. The Garrahan struggle became a model for the entire labor movement. It is necessary to defend Garrahan's new anti-bureaucratic leadership through a major national and international campaign. The hospital management had already initiated a manipulated internal summary procedure for a workers' action in October 2025 against the main leaders of the Garrahan struggle, including our comrade and general secretary of the Association of Skilled Workers and Technicians, Norma Lezana, other members of this association, leaders of the ATE and other activists. The action orchestrated by the government and the hospital authorities is so blatant and illegal that the head of the national cabinet and spokesman for the President announced it in the main newspapers and television channels even before the end of the internal fast-track procedure, openly declaring that they wanted to put an end to the left-wing leadership of the hospital, whose main leader is known to be a member of our Argentine section, the MST. (…)
  In 2025, Garrahan Hospital workers were the only example of a workers' struggle that categorically and repeatedly defeated Milei's austerity policies. To do this, they implemented a long-term struggle plan, constantly discussed with the workers and carried out countless strikes, demonstrations, festivals and countless initiatives that put them at the center of the stage and made their struggle a national cause that achieved more than 90% support. Their victory was total, because although the government tried to break them, they were far from successful and because of their persistence, an apparent “wage conflict” escalated into a political conflict. This led to an intensification of union action and managed to broaden the unified pole around the conflict, which became part of a national discussion, not only as a wage dispute, but also regarding the importance of maintaining the main children's hospital in Argentina and the need to declare a pediatric health emergency. As a result, solidarity and social support for this struggle were further strengthened. (,,,)
  Cornered and defeated, but unwilling to be pressured by the application of the passed law, the government was forced to grant a 61% salary increase. This increase was achieved within the framework of a wage guideline of 1% wage increase per month for other employees at national level. That is, it is a blow to the government's wage policy and to the bureaucracy that took part in confirming the wage cut.
  An example they cannot tolerate
  The Garrahan Hospital triumph has shown that no matter how many wage restrictions the government imposes or how hard it tries to dismantle the wage earners' organization, it cannot defeat them if they fight to the end. It has also shown that this requires militant, democratic, pluralistic and class-conscious union leadership. (…)
  From the moment the summary procedure became known at the end of last year, the Association of Skilled Workers and Technicians, led by Norma Lezana, warned against the maneuver that the government was preparing. Far from being an internal matter, it was a political weapon to persecute unions. Appropriate defensive measures were immediately launched, together with political denunciation of this persecution and mobilization actions aimed at coordinating the fight against labor reform and against the planned layoffs. Given the government's rush to illegally dismiss our comrades in hospital, a solidarity campaign has now been launched, supported by broad internal solidarity and activism in the rest of the country, to prevent this violation of trade union freedom. It is very important to expand this campaign internationally. We call on all organizations committed to the class struggle and responding to the authoritarian advances of the far right to surround the management of Garrahan Hospital with solidarity and to send videos and statements that we will distribute widely.” International Socialist League, Infomail 1303 from February 10, 2026
The conflict at the Garrahan Hospital in Buenos Aires over quality of care and wages was “nationalized” into a nationwide day of strike and protest in the healthcare sector on June 5th
- The ATE union is making the Garrahan Hospital conflict a national issue and is calling for a nationwide day of healthcare protest from midnight.
  “If they think they can make us tired, they are wrong. We will tighten all coercive measures,” said Rodolfo Aguiar.Following the failure of the hearing on the Garrahan Hospital conflict, the Asociación Trabajadores del Estado (ATE) union has declared a nationwide day of protest in the healthcare sector starting at 00:00 on Thursday, June 5th.
  "We have decided to nationalize the demand of the Garrahan Hospital and declare a nationwide day of protest in the health sector. Only the representatives of the workers and four straw men representing the Garrahan authorities took part in the hearing, but not a single official. The Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Economy and the Head of Cabinet should have appeared at this appointment," explained Rodolfo Aguiar, Secretary General of the ATE Nacional. "It is clear that the Milei government does not want to resolve the Garrahan Hospital conflict. If they think that they can make us tired, they are mistaken. We will tighten all coercive measures. They want to turn healthcare into a business. We refuse to allow those who have money to be treated and those who have no money to die," concluded the union leader.
  As part of the mandatory mediation ordered by the government, a hearing between the parties was scheduled for this Wednesday at 2 p.m. However, no representative from the executive branch appeared, so the union declared the meeting invalid and continues to consider the arbitration valid.
  The ATE decided to nationalize the conflict, arguing that precarious working and wage conditions in the provinces were worsening.” SpanishReport from June 5, 2025 from the ATE (Union of Civil Servants) (machine translated)
- There has been no response from the government and there has been a major strike in the Garrahan since last night
  “A major strike was prepared at the prestigious children's hospital after a meeting in which the government failed to propose a solution to the demands of all workers from all sections of the hospital staff, including CABA residents and fellows. This Thursday they will march from the Congreso to the Plaza de Mayo. Garrahan Hospital is going through crucial hours. The conflict that began with the residents' strikes reached the hospital staff as a whole, who took up the fight. Despite pressure from the government and hospital management, on Wednesday from 9 p.m. CABA colleagues and residents will hold a strike against Milei's chainsaw policy, which attacks the public health of thousands of children treated in the hospital every day. Starvation wages, increasing layoffs and the emptying of the hospital are the main reasons.
  For two weeks now, solidarity with the Garrahan cause has been felt everywhere. Relatives of patients come to the door with their own posters to support their demands. To make their demands visible and gain further support, they are calling for a mobilization at noon from Congress to Plaza de Mayo.
  They demand an urgent wage increase and that no salary should be less than a family basic amount of 1,800,000 pesos. All these measures were decided in a mass meeting of almost a thousand workers last Tuesday, who showed how tired they are of the situation at the renowned hospital. “While the situation of the hospital is deteriorating, the government has not proposed a solution to all our demands in a meeting to which the various unions were invited,” said Esteban Argañaraz, delegate of the ATE Garrahan Internal Committee and part of the Health and Care Post…” span.Post from June 5, 2025 in La Izquierda Diario (machine translated)
- “…Garrahan workers, who will strike again today, were also present. Yesterday they had a hearing called by the government which was seen as a "sham" as the ministry made no proposal for a salary increase. Meanwhile, residents have called off their strike amid threats of layoffs and sanctions. Following the collapse of the arbitration hearing, the Association of Civil Servants announced a nationwide healthcare strike starting at midnight. There will be walkouts, rallies and mobilizations at hospitals and other facilities across the country…” from Spanish.Report from June 5, 2025 in Página|12 (machine translated)
- For background information, see the dossierGarrahan Hospital at laizquierdadiario.com (Spanish)
On February 27, more than 100 workers' and patients' organizations nationwide mobilized in defense of public health in Argentina
- Against adaptation. Federal March in Defense of Public Health
  “Workers and users mobilized from the Ministry of Health to Plaza de Mayo to denounce the adjustment in the nation, province and CABA and to organize in defense of free and quality public health and for unity in all struggles. They also denounced layoffs, vacancies and a lack of resources in hospitals. They were supported, among others, by social organizations, student organizations, human rights organizations and by the laid-off employees of Shell, Pilkinton and Volkswagen.
  With the support of more than 140 organizations, health care users and workers from the nation, the province and CABA from the Ministry of Health marched to Plaza de Mayo. The march was led by fighting sectors such as: B. the workers of the psychiatric hospitals of Laura Bonaparte National Network Hospital, Garrahan Hospital and Posadas, who have waged an enormous struggle against layoffs and layoffs. In addition, employees from hospitals in the province of Buenos Aires, the health and care center and other precarious health sectors as well as user organizations took part, among other things. denounced the cancellation of HIV prevention programs and palliative care…” span.Report from February 27, 2025 in La Izquierda Diario (machine translated) with photos and videos
- Federal March for Health
  “The rejection of the adjustment was heard across the country. The day included wage demands and protests against cuts in medicines and treatments, the draining of hospitals and national health programs. The mobilization was massive in the city of Buenos Aires and ended with a rally in the Plaza de Mayo. More than a hundred organizations of professionals, doctors and nurses, workers, patients and users marched in Buenos Aires from the Ministry in the historic building in Moreno and Nueve de Julio to Plaza de Mayo, where a document was read outlining the seriousness of the situation caused by Milei's policies and denouncing the massive dismissals of workers from various national hospitals and from Mario Lugones' department…” span.Report from the Fesprosa union (machine translated)
- #27F: Fesprosa at the forefront of the march in defense of public health
  “On February 27, the mobilization in defense of public health took place towards Plaza de Mayo. Hundreds of people marched amid heavy police presence. Fesprosa was at the forefront of the march, which was attended by more than a hundred organizations…”Union photo gallery (Spanish)
Four days of self-empowerment. In Buenos Aires, colleagues and patients are fighting against the closure of their hospital
“The Laura Bonaparte Hospital is a model project for psychiatric reform, with outpatient care and branch offices in poor neighborhoods. The Milei government wants to close the hospital. But the colleagues are fighting back. In October they occupied their hospital, organized themselves into meetings, formed commissions and maintained operations. Patients came to support. After four eventful days, the closure was off the table. But the next attack came in January 2025, with 200 layoffs. The hospital is currently under threat again. (…) Working conditions have gotten worse and worse over the last year. There used to be annual contracts, but now the contracts only run for three months. "You can only plan your life for three months. We have colleagues who have been working here for more than ten years and still don't have a permanent contract." (…) The workforce had already been decimated by the poor conditions in advance. Colleagues quit and moved to the private sector. A fatal development at a time when, due to the economic crisis, many people are no longer covered by social security and are dependent on the public health system (…)
In Argentina in the 1990s there was a strong movement for the abolition of manicomios ("madhouses", see ila 412), which achieved a very progressive law in 2010. Instead of internment, there should be outpatient interdisciplinary care in the districts, and the psychiatric institutions should be closed. The “Center for Re-education” founded during the dictatorship became the Hospital Laura Bonaparte, named after one of the mothers of Plaza de Mayo, who was a social psychologist. The reason the ministry now cites for the closure order is that there are too few inpatients in the hospital. The many outpatient treatments in the hospital and in the branch offices are not even mentioned. (…) On January 15, the Ministry of Health announced 1,400 layoffs, including 200 at the Bonaparte Hospital. One of those released is Sol. The departments and branch offices are barely functional with the reduced staff. The colleagues see this as the next attempt to close the Bonaparte. They have gathered again on site to defend their hospital. The conflict is still ongoing at the time of going to press.”Article by Alix Arnold in ila 482 from February 2025
- Theila 482 from February 2025 focuses on “Feminist Interventions” – we recommend the entire issue and, ideally, a subscription!
- Defend the Bonaparte Hospital
  “In Buenos Aires, colleagues and patients are fighting to keep their hospital. "The Laura Bonaparte Hospital is a model project for psychiatric reform, with outpatient care and branch offices in poor neighborhoods. The Milei government wants to close the hospital. But the colleagues are fighting back. In October they occupied their hospital, organized themselves in meetings, formed commissions and kept operations running. Patients came to support. After four eventful days, the closure was off the table for the time being. But the next attack followed in January 2025, with 200 Layoffs. The hospital is currently under threat again.” (Alix Arnold, ILA) The fight continues, as this video shows: “You are holding a council of war and so are we,” sing the resisters. More information in thisInterview with a doctor at the hospital “Video at labournet.tv (Spanish with German subtitles | 2 min | 2025)
Thanks after the pandemic in Mileis Argentina: Nursing in Buenos Aires is denied legal recognition as a professional group and the protest is suppressed by the police
- Nursing will have “autonomous regulation” outside the health professions – police repression before the Buenos Aires legislature
  “The nurses demand to be included in Law 6035 and to avoid wage discrimination. But the ruling party, the LLA and part of the UCR voted for a separate regulation. There were beatings and arrests. The nursing sector in the city of Buenos Aires will remain outside the scope of Law No. 6035 on Health Professionals. This is how it was defined on Thursday in the legislature, where the ruling party, together with La Libertad Avanza (LLA), approved the project that creates an autonomous work regime for the sector outside this law…” span.Article by Santiago Brunetto from 11/29/24 in Página|12 (machine translated)
- Professional careers: Macri has managed to discriminate against nurses through repression, networks and sellouts
  “The ruling party of LLA and the complicity of the UCR and the PS accompanied by Roy Cortina with their abstentions managed to approve, by the difference of 1 vote, a law stopping the entry of nurses into the professional career established by Law 6035. "The repression of the nurses is shameful. Another cowardly provocation from Jorge Macri, this time against those who saved us in the pandemic and maintain public health despite the government," denounced Alejandrina Barry of the FIT. (…) While the head of government managed to obtain the votes, the police outside the city attacked the nurses who mobilized to prevent the deputies who had advocated the inclusion of nursing in the healthcare career from turning back. Alejandrina Barry, a Protela MC deputy of the PTS in the FIT and human rights activist, accompanied the mobilization and denounced it on her social networks. (…) Six years ago, Law No. 6035 created the healthcare profession, in which nursing staff were never taken into account, not even qualified staff. After numerous complaints from nurses, the issue was discussed in the Legislature's Health Committee, where it received broad and important support. However, within six months, without any dialogue or debate, the ruling party presented a project to create a separate career path for nurses, so as not to include them in the existing career path and thus perpetuate discrimination.This is how this project came to the Chamber and not the project conceived by the nurses themselves, which means nothing other than inclusion. Nursing unions warn that the fight will continue, and as a first step they will go to court because an entire sector of the healthcare system is being discriminated against. They also denounce that this new law prevents the negotiation of the collective agreement and the nursing unions, which is a clear violation of the Constitution of the City of Buenos Aires…” span.Contribution by the Redacción CABA from November 28th, 2024 in La Izquierda Diario (machine translated) with videos and photos
- “Nurses are marching to the Legislature to seek acceptance into their careers. They came with a demand that legislators approve the transition to a career. A demand that has existed for years and has even been supported by a court ruling and the ignorance of Jorge Macri. The Milei government has attacked the public health system with brutal adjustments, starvation wages and the abandonment of hospitals. She wanted to close Bonaparte Hospital and privatize hospital services while Garrahan Hospital continued to struggle for its existence. .With repression, instigators and traitors, Jorge Macri managed to push through his project, which maintains discrimination against nursing in professional careers, by a vote of 27 to 26…” span.Thread from La Izquierda Diario from November 28th. with videos of police attacks
- “Macri's police repressed nurses in the city of Buenos Aires after the Buenos Aires legislature passed a law that does not recognize them as a professional group. They continue to be treated precariously by the state and private healthcare companies.” SpanishTweet from Emergentes Medio from November 28th. with video
Backtracking after widespread protests: Did Milei overreach with the attempt to close the Laura Bonaparte Hospital in Buenos Aires?
- “… The government's attempt to close the most important state hospital for mental illnesses (Hospital Laura Bonaparte) in Buenos Aires a few days ago was obviously the last straw. The announcement that the hospital would close within four days and lay off 600 employees without explaining where patients would go had also sparked numerous protests and demonstrations. The government then backed down, but the damage to its image had already been done…" From theReport by Miguel Arndt from October 15, 2024 in Amerika21 (“Milei’s veto against funding for universities wins in Argentina, protests grow rapidly”)
- The government backs down and says it will not close the Laura Bonaparte psychiatric hospital
  “The government has backed down and assured that it will not close the Laura Bonaparte psychiatric hospital, according to Cecilia Loccisano, deputy head of the Ministry of Health. The department has signed an agreement with the state unions to establish a work table that will ensure the services and continuity of the clinic's staff. Deputy Health Minister Cecilia Loccisano announced on Tuesday that the Laura Bonaparte psychiatric hospital will not be closed. Instead, it agreed with state unions to set up a working group of experts and authorities to “ensure service delivery” while it pursues a restructuring of the hospital. (…)
  The government's decision was confirmed by the Secretary General of ATE-Nacional, Rodolfo Aguiar, in his account on…” span.Report from October 8th, 2024 in ambito.com (machine translated)
- Fesprosa marching to Plaza de Mayo with Garrahan Hospital, Bonaparte and national residents
  “On October 8, Fesprosa was present at the joint march to the Plaza de Mayo of the Garrahan Hospital, Bonaparte and national residents. CPR in front of the Rosada. Unifying the fight towards a national measure in defense of public health.”Fesprose photo gallery
- Great march of the ATE in defense of public health
  “We cannot accept that there are medical professionals with more than 15 years of specialization whose income is below the poverty line,” said Rodolfo Aguiar, Secretary General of ATE Nacional.
  On World Mental Health Day, the Association of Civil Servants (ATE) today carried out a massive mobilization to the Laura Bonaparte National Hospital to defend the right to public health and oppose the elimination of programs and the erosion of the system."We are not here to defend privileges. We cannot accept that there are doctors with more than 15 years of specialization whose income is below the poverty line, that interns are barely above the poverty line, that on-call and overtime work is only paid half as well as in the private sector, that we have to watch our colleagues double or even triple their working hours. The only way to earn a decent income today is to spend more time in the hospital than with their families We have the right to a salary sufficient to support our family,” said ATE national secretary general Rodolfo Aguiar…” span.Report and photos from October 10, 2024 at ATE (machine translated)
- Buenos Aires: Protest against cuts
  “Argentina's President Javier Milei has announced that he wants to close the Laura Bonaparte Hospital. It is one of the few public hospitals in Buenos Aires that treats mental illnesses and addictions. Among other things, thousands of health care workers protested against this on Tuesday and demanded that no clinics be closed due to a lack of funds. On the way to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, they also demonstrated for appropriate salaries in view of galloping inflation.”Short message from October 11th, 2024 in the Rote-Fahne-News
For public health. A major solidarity campaign against the layoffs at Posadas Hospital
“Following the news of nearly 90 layoffs at Posadas Hospital, dozens of groups, organizations, unions and neighborhood gatherings have expressed their opposition and demands for immediate reinstatement. The layoffs at this iconic hospital are destroying key areas and directly impacting the care of the families who visit the hospital…” span.Contribution by Pame Galina from July 5th, 2024 in La Izquierda Diario (machine translated) and previously:
- Discharges at Posadas Hospital: Patients with serious illnesses without care and treatment
  “Over the weekend, doctors, specialists in various complex disciplines, nurses, technicians and administrative staff were informed that they had been laid off. The treatment and care of thousands of patients from across the country depend on them. Luis Sucher, one of those dismissed, described in a letter the critical situation that endangers the health of the population and called for support and solidarity in the fight to defend public, free and quality healthcare and for the reinstatement of all those dismissed…” span.Post from June 29, 2024 in La Izquierda Diario (machine translated)
Attack by the employer. Bahia Blanca: Hospital Privado del Sur fires employees because they resisted
“It is a lie that the hospital is in crisis," says one of those fired. On Wednesday, July 24, 15 workers, most of them women, were fired from different areas of the hospital. They were the ones who led the demand for the payment of wages due in April. Carlos Deguer is threatening to increase the number of layoffs…” span.Post by Yamel Cavassa from July 26th. in La Izquierda Diario (machine translated)
For public health and quality. Mobilization for August 1st: Letter from the employees of the Posadas Hospital to the population
“Below is the letter from the CICOP section calling on healthcare workers, solidarity organizations and all those committed to the quality of public health and workplaces. The action will take place on Thursday August 1st from 12 noon from the Obelisk to the National Health Center. With their fight they have already achieved the reinstatement of 12 laid-off workers, the fight continues for all of them…” span.Post from July 27th in La Izquierda Diario (machine translated)
The protest is growing. Misiones: Health workers staffed the ministry; Demonstrations in posadas and various places
“Today, Wednesday, the conflict in the healthcare system started again. Following union leaders' agreement with the government, health workers in hospitals and camps rejected it. They decided to occupy the ministry in Posadas to show their protest. In the afternoon there were various demonstrations, including one by teachers and students who expressed solidarity with the militants and joined the demands…” span.Post from May 22, 2024 in La Izquierda Diario (machine translated)
Latin America: Health for All. The fifth People's Health Assembly in Mar del Plata calls for fundamental changes
“More than 600 activists from 60 countries gathered in Mar del Plata, Argentina, from April 7th to 11th for the fifth People’s Health Assembly (PHA5). The focus was on advocating for “health for all”: solidarity with Gaza, the fight against privatization and the global subordination of health systems and food security to financial interests, against femicide and for women and LGBTQI* rights. In the end there was a demand for an economic and socio-ecological transformation.” Contribution by Christopher Knauth in Latin America News No. 599 from May 2024 , see also:
Massive embrace of the Hospital de Clínicas and a warning from the university: “If the situation does not change in two or three months, the UBA will have to close”.
“The doctor and rector of the UBA, Ricardo Gelpi, assured that the exemplary teaching hospital in Latin America was “at the limit of its capabilities” due to the lack of budget. The drama of daily work where “the power goes out”, patients are without food and only four of the 16 operating rooms are functioning.
With cracking voices, with children in their arms who were born there, pensioners, hundreds of doctors who trained and studied there, posters, students, messages on their cell phones, teaching and non-teaching staff of the University of Buenos Aires and friends, patients and others who have never been there but recognize it as a symbol both within the hospital and in the region. Finally, yesterday morning, they all carried out the massive embrace of the Hospital de Clínicas, urgently called for due to the critical budgetary situation, but also to reject the adjustment of the libertarian government and pave the way to the federal march of study centers throughout the country, scheduled for next April 23 (see separate article). “Such a situation has never occurred in the last 40 years of democracy,” said Ricardo Gelpi, doctor and rector of the UBA, on the steps of the building. And in a dramatic message repeated throughout the day by every professional who took to the microphone, he warned that the hospital was suffering from "the adjustment of the adjustment" and was "at the limit of its ability to function." And he warned: “If the situation does not change, the UBA will have to close in two or three months". SpanishPost from April 19, 2024 in Página|12 (machine translated)
- For UBA, see also our dossier:Milei keeps his word: the government in Argentina is making drastic cuts in education and science
Ruidazo: Health workers protest against austerity measures
“Healthcare workers continue their actions to raise awareness of the violation of their rights. They denounce the lack of response from the Ministry of Health. (…) This action was to make visible their opposition to a package of current laws and against poverty wages that violate their rights, and is part of actions that have been carried out by the sector for weeks. Not only have the governor and health department officials ignored these demands, but they also plan to vote on an “economic emergency” bill on April 3 that would provide greater targeting and accommodation for workers, as Gov. Sadir announced at the start of the legislative session…” span.Contribution by Redacción Jujuy from March 27, 2024 in La Izquierda Diario (machine translated)
Brutal adaptation. The city of Buenos Aires privatized the only public hospital in Buenos Aires by decree.
“The municipality of Buenos Aires, Pellegrini, located in the far west of the province and headed by Sofia Gambier of the UCR, has established through an ordinance the tariff classification of the city's only hospital. It will be accessible free of charge only upon demonstration of a basic unmet need (NBI), as determined by the Municipal Social Action Secretary.
The unconstitutional measure was approved by the 6 official councilors of the municipality of Pellegrini, belonging to the UCR-PRO, and rejected by 4 councilors of the opposition. The headline reads: “The Dr. Guillermo del Soldiero Community Hospital of the Pellegrini District will no longer be free…”. And below it is established the costs that the practices and consultations will incur from now on, namely more than 8,000 pesos for a medical consultation in the ward, about 17,000 pesos per day of hospitalization (excluding medicines) and about 300,000 pesos for the most common surgical procedures, including cesarean section. This is a clear attack on the right to health, in addition to what has already been established by the DNU and what the government wants to adopt with the omnibus law. (…)
Free healthcare is one of the fundamental aspects that guarantee workers' right to health. Public health care serves the vast majority of the working population and especially the least resourced sectors. It is the subsector that guarantees comprehensive and free care, despite the deep health crisis and existing inequalities. It covers the needs of more than 40% of the population and guarantees the treatment of diseases that are less developed due to their low profitability in the private sector, such as infectious diseases, HIV, tuberculosis, Chagas and others.
However, the hollowing out, the reduction of resources and the budget cuts carried out by governments (of different political stripes, without creating a division) in the last decades and up to today threaten this fundamental right. Added to this are the enormous tax and other benefits that various governments have granted to the medical and pharmaceutical industries. The DNU enacted last December further increases the transfer of funds from the pockets of pensioners and workers to the pockets of Bellocopit, the owners of prepayment companies and large laboratories…” span.Post from January 18, 2024 in La Izquierda Diario (machine translated)

Basic information:

Fesprosa (union association of health professionals):https://fesprosa.org.ar/portal/ andhttps://twitter.com/Fesprosa orhttps://twitter.com/PrensaFESPROSA
https://ate.org.ar/ andhttps://twitter.com/ateprensa
https://www.laizquierdadiario.com/Crisis-de-la-salud-publica
https://www.laizquierdadiario.com/Salud-publica
Our dossier on the political background:Ultra-right Javier Milei will be the new president of Argentina – if Bolsonaro and Trump congratulate...
Lastly, the dossier on healthcare:Strike, especially by women in the hospital in Neuquén/Argentina, against austerity measures during the pandemic - with broad social support

The postMilei wants to destroy public health care through austerity measures and privatization - despite widespread resistanceappeared firstLabourNet Germany.