Argentina military healthcare faces closures and staff cuts

The Argentine Ministry of Defense has announced significant restructuring for the military social work organization, IOSFA (now OSFA), set to take effect by 2027. The plan includes the closure of 31 pharmacies across the country, including a location in Santa Rosa, and a drastic reduction in staff. Current contract personnel, numbering approximately 2,450, are projected to be reduced to 1,000.

While the adjustments aim to achieve a projected financial surplus of over 1 billion pesos for the 2027 fiscal year, the measures have triggered a healthcare crisis for the organization's 323,000 affiliates. Reports indicate that the cuts have led to the suspension of surgeries at the Central Military Hospital and Campo de Mayo Hospital due to lack of supplies. Additionally, patients in provinces such as Entre Ríos, Chaco, and Misiones have faced interruptions in critical treatments, including oncology medications.

Labor representatives from ATE have raised concerns regarding both the job losses and payment failures to service providers under the new administration. The crisis has forced many military personnel, retirees, and their families to pay for medical services out of pocket or seek judicial intervention to secure the coverage they are entitled to.