Argentina faces shortage of pediatric rheumatologists

A report by the Argentine Society of Rheumatology (SAR) highlights a significant shortage of pediatric rheumatologists in Argentina. Out of 70 active certified specialists in the country, only 14 provinces and the City of Buenos Aires have resident professionals.

Data from the REUMA-ARG census, conducted in May 2025, reveals deep geographic inequalities in healthcare access. Approximately 58.1% of surveyed children and adolescents with rheumatic diseases did not have a pediatric rheumatologist in their local area. Furthermore, 62.9% of those patients had to travel more than 100 kilometers to receive medical attention.

In some provinces, such as Catamarca, there are no resident specialists and no visiting professionals. In other regions, specialists must travel hundreds of kilometers periodically to provide consultations, which can delay early diagnosis and increase the risk of long-term health complications.