Buenos Aires hospitals face ICU bed shortage amid winter flu surge

The colder winter months in the Buenos Aires province have triggered a sharp rise in respiratory illnesses, leading to an increased demand for flu medicines, cough syrups and antibiotics. Pharmacy officials reported a notable jump in sales of over‑the‑counter antigrip drugs and prescription antibiotics, with prices ranging from ARS 6,000 to ARS 35,000.

Hospital leaders warned that intensive‑care unit (ICU) capacity is under severe strain. Juan Guillermo Salas, president of the Asociación de Clínicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (Acliba), said the shortage of specialized doctors makes it difficult to expand ICU beds. Néstor Porras, head of the Federación de Clínicas (Fecliba), noted that many private clinics have reduced or closed ICU beds in recent years, compounding the problem as seasonal influenza A (H3N2) peaks.

The combination of higher patient admissions and a limited pool of qualified medical staff has turned ICU availability into the primary tension point for the provincial health system this winter.