Elimination of Argentina’s National Cancer Institute by Milei Administration
President Javier Milei announces the closure of Argentina’s national cancer institute, citing operational redundancies and inefficiencies. The Health Ministry claims that the institute’s functions overlap with other state entities and highlights procurement failures under previous administrations. This action has raised concerns about ongoing healthcare services and employment for the institute’s staff, amidst public protests against wider cuts in healthcare.
On Thursday, President Javier Milei’s administration declared the elimination of Argentina’s national cancer institute, Instituto Nacional del Cáncer. The Health Ministry attributed this decision to a “duplicity of tasks” and the desire for “greater control of actions,” indicating that the institute would be incorporated directly into the Health Ministry itself.
The Health Ministry highlighted issues such as “logistical problems, with the delivery of medicines on the verge of expiry, inefficient purchases, and duplicated programmes and structures.” They indicated that many functions of the institute overlapped with other state entities.
Furthermore, the government noted “serious failures” in drug procurement, referencing an incident from 2023 involving the previous administration. This reportedly resulted in the disposal of “400,000 units of expired morphine.”
In its statement, the Health Ministry assured the public that this structural change “would not affect the continuity of any programme guaranteed by the Instituto Nacional del Cáncer” and serves to address identified inefficiencies. However, the fate of the 183 employees of the institute remains uncertain as the government has not specified layoff plans despite its budget-cutting strategies.
Recently, numerous health organizations, unions representing doctors and nurses, patient advocacy groups, and human rights entities rallied in Buenos Aires against the Milei administration. They protested against job cuts, insufficient funding for health programs, and reduced medical supply availability.
This closure adds to a pattern of reductions in government institutions initiated by Milei since his inauguration in December 2023. Other eliminations include the national film institute INCAA, the Women, Gender & Diversity Ministry, the INADI anti-discrimination agency, and the state news agency Télam. Milei and his state transformation minister, Federico Sturzenegger, also celebrated the dismissal of over 40,000 public employees last year.
In conclusion, President Javier Milei’s government has decided to eliminate Argentina’s national cancer institute, prompting concerns regarding the implications for public health services. While the administration seeks to streamline operations by consolidating functions, there is widespread apprehension about the impact on staff and ongoing patient programs. The decision aligns with a broader strategy of budgetary constraints and reductions in various state agencies that have sparked significant public protest.
Original Source: www.batimes.com.ar
