President Javier Milei’s government has decided to close Argentina’s National Cancer Institute, citing redundancy and inefficiency in operations. This move is part of broader austerity measures that have led to significant cuts within the public sector, including the elimination of other state entities. Concerns over program continuity and employee layoffs add to the public uproar surrounding these changes.
The administration of President Javier Milei has announced the dissolution of Argentina’s National Cancer Institute. The Health Ministry stated that the closure of the Instituto Nacional del Cáncer is intended to eliminate redundancy and enhance control over operations, as the institute’s responsibilities will now be managed directly by the ministry.
In a formal announcement on the social media platform X, the ministry highlighted issues such as logistical inefficiencies, including the delivery of medications nearing expiration, ineffective procurement practices, and overlapping programs with existing governmental entities.
The Health Ministry further indicated that serious mishaps had marred drug purchases, citing an instance from 2023 under former President Alberto Fernández’s administration that resulted in the discarding of expiration-dated morphine.
Despite these changes, the Health Ministry assured that the transition would not disrupt ongoing patient programs previously managed by the Instituto Nacional del Cáncer and is merely an administrative measure to rectify existing issues. However, there is no clarification concerning potential layoffs among the institute’s 183 employees, raising concerns amidst ongoing budget cuts in health services.
Recently, a large-scale protest occurred in Buenos Aires, consisting of health associations, unions, and rights organizations, expressing discontent over the government’s approach to slashing healthcare resources and staffing.
This closure is part of a broader trend of governmental austerity measures since Milei assumed office in December 2023, following the elimination of various state institutions, including national film and discrimination bodies. Recently, Milei and his Minister of State Transformation, Federico Sturzenegger, noted the dismissal of over 40,000 public sector workers last year.
In summary, the Milei administration’s decision to dissolve the National Cancer Institute reflects an ongoing policy of government cutbacks aimed at increasing efficiency and oversight within health services. Nonetheless, concerns regarding the potential impact on healthcare employment and program continuity continue to permeate public sentiment. This closure aligns with a broader strategy of administrative reductions affecting numerous state institutions, underscoring a significant shift in Argentina’s health policy and governance.
Original Source: www.batimes.com.ar
