President Javier Milei’s administration announced the closure of Argentina’s national cancer institute, citing inefficiencies and duplication of tasks. The Health Ministry aims to improve control by incorporating the institute’s functions into its own operations. The move has spurred protests from health organizations and raises concerns about the future of healthcare in Argentina under Milei’s cuts to public spending.
The administration of President Javier Milei has officially declared the closure of Argentina’s national cancer institute, the Instituto Nacional del Cáncer. According to the Health Ministry, the decision was made due to a perceived “duplicity of tasks” and aims to enhance the control of health-related actions by absorbing the institute’s functions into the ministry itself.
The Health Ministry’s statement detailed various logistical issues previously encountered by the institute, including inefficient procurement practices that led to problems such as the disposal of “400,000 units of expired morphine” during the previous administration of Alberto Fernández. The government aims to resolve these challenges through this administrative restructuring.
While the Health Ministry assures that the changes will not disrupt ongoing programmes or services previously provided by the Instituto Nacional del Cáncer, it remains unclear how many of the institute’s 183 employees will retain their positions amidst the Milei administration’s sweeping cuts to public spending. The government has noted the significance of these adjustments as part of broader efforts to enhance efficiency in public health services.
In the past week, numerous health organizations and unions have protested against the Milei administration’s budget cuts and layoffs within the healthcare sector, highlighting concerns over patient care and resource availability. This decision is part of a broader strategy of fiscal austerity, which has seen the elimination of other state bodies, including the INCAA film institute and the Ministry of Women, Gender & Diversity.
Since commencing his term in December 2023, President Milei has overseen substantial reductions in public sector employment, as exemplified by the dismissal of over 40,000 public employees in the preceding year. Such measures reflect his administration’s aggressive approach to governmental reform.
In summary, the closure of Argentina’s national cancer institute reflects President Milei’s broader strategy of governmental austerity aimed at addressing inefficiencies within the health sector. Despite promises that programme continuity will be maintained, the impact on employees and the protest reactions from healthcare advocates underscore significant concerns regarding future healthcare delivery in Argentina.
Original Source: www.batimes.com.ar
