Argentina's Tierra del Fuego PAMI scandal triggers parliamentary investigation

Deputy Jorge "Koky" Araujo of the Movimiento Popular Fueguino confirmed that a complaint has been filed over alleged irregularities in the provincial branch of the public health insurer PAMI. He said the documentation was submitted to the PAMI Fiscal Investigation Unit and that he has introduced a bill to create a parliamentary commission, now referred to the Health Public and Social Action committees. The allegations include authorisation and payment for biofeedback anorectal studies despite lack of equipment, fertility tests for women aged 60‑80, and procedures for hysterectomised patients.

Port worker Gastón Castillo linked the PAMI case to alleged mismanagement at the Ushuaia port, accusing former PAMI official and current port interventor Fernando Polizzi of influencing licensing, procurement and other decisions. Castillo warned that “they first went after the PAMI cash and now they are after the port’s cash,” suggesting a pattern of corruption across both institutions.