PAMI dialysis services face crisis threatening 30,000 patients

Dialysis services in Argentina are facing a critical crisis that threatens the care of over 30,000 patients, including more than 10,000 who rely exclusively on PAMI, the national social security agency for retirees.

The Confederation of Dialysis of the Argentine Republic (Cadra) reports that centers are struggling due to an 18-month delay in tariff updates and a recent PAMI resolution that reduced income by 8% by eliminating a quality-based payment item. This financial strain has forced some centers to close or accumulate debt to cover essential costs such as vascular surgeons, laboratory services, and patient transport.

Providers warn that centers in the interior of the country are particularly vulnerable. While no formal decision has been made to suspend services, centers in provinces like Jujuy have indicated that sustaining operations will be difficult without tariff adjustments. Amidst this crisis, PAMI has undergone leadership changes, with Verónica Pérez and Santiago Caputo taking over from Juan Cruz Montero.