Alarming cuts at Bonaparte Hospital put public health at risk.

The recent intervention at Bonaparte Hospital by the Ministry of Health has sparked a wave of concerns regarding the quality and access to healthcare in the country. The measure, which includes the dismissal of 1,400 people, has been described as a drastic cut that affects both hospital infrastructure and the care of patients with critical illnesses. Civil society organizations have reported that these decisions result in a lack of medications and treatments, putting the health of thousands of patients at risk. The situation has become alarming, especially for those who depend on continuous treatments. María Teresa Troiano, who battled skin cancer since 2016, is an example of the tragic consequences of this policy. Her story reveals how the government's cut in medication provision left her family with no options, resulting in her death after a long struggle during which she could not access the necessary medication. Her husband, Eduardo, recounted the ordeal they underwent while trying to get answers from the healthcare system, culminating in a devastating loss. Reports of the closure of specialized units for hepatitis and tuberculosis have also emerged, reflecting a grim outlook for the treatment of infectious diseases in the country. The NGO National Front for HIV, Hepatitis, and Tuberculosis has echoed these layoffs, warning of an increase in cases of tuberculosis and syphilis, as well as a rise in AIDS mortality. According to experts, these diseases are linked to precarious social conditions, exacerbated by a lack of access to adequate health services. The Ministry of Health, led by Mario Lugones, has justified the measures as part of a restructuring plan aimed at correcting what they consider “mismanagement of funds” and “overstaffing” at Bonaparte Hospital. However, hospital workers have argued that the staff reduction not only dismantles healthcare services but also calls into question the hospital's ability to operate effectively. This translates to insufficient care for patients who are already facing serious health issues. The Argentine Alliance of Patients (ALAPA) has released a report highlighting the magnitude of the cuts in the health budget, revealing significant adjustments affecting various institutions and organizations. The reduction of funds in critical areas such as the Superintendency of Health Services and the National Cancer Institute, among others, jeopardizes the sustainability of health services across the country. This, combined with the interruption in the delivery of medications, has had fatal consequences for many patients, including those with oncological conditions. In this context, patient organizations have urged the public to become aware of the seriousness of the situation and to demand change. The lack of medications and treatments has been described as an “institutional crime,” as it is estimated that at least seven cancer patients have lost their lives due to lack of access to the medication they were entitled to. This scenario not only poses an immediate challenge to public health but also raises profound questions about the ethics of political decisions that prioritize economic adjustments over human lives. The cuts have also affected organizations providing health and social assistance services, with the suspension of cooperatives and mutuals that previously supported communities. This adds to the growing difficulty faced by people with disabilities in accessing essential services, as the requirements for obtaining assistance have been tightened, creating an additional barrier for those already in vulnerable situations. The situation in the healthcare system is not just a matter of numbers and statistics; it involves life stories, of families struggling every day to access treatments that allow them to live. The intervention at Bonaparte Hospital and the cuts in staff and health services have resulted in a deterioration of the quality of life for many citizens, who see their rights to health being undermined. The testimonies of those affected, like María Teresa and many others, must be heard and taken into account in the public debate about health in the country. The community needs a healthcare system that not only works on paper but is accessible, sustainable, and, above all, humane. It is imperative that measures are taken to reverse the current situation and ensure that every person has access to the medical care they need, without exceptions. Health is a right, and its defense must be a priority for all.