Pediatrician shortage grows in Entre Ríos, Argentina

The province of Entre Ríos is facing a growing shortage of pediatricians, a crisis driven by low salaries, high workloads, and payment issues with health insurance providers (obras sociales). Medical professionals warn that these factors are discouraging new doctors from specializing in pediatrics and complicating the coverage of child healthcare services.

Anabela Collazo, president of the Río Paraná regional branch of the Argentine Pediatric Society (SAP), noted a significant decline in the number of residents entering pediatric training programs. Some institutions are reporting unfilled residency vacancies, which threatens the generational replacement of specialists. This trend also impacts related subspecialties such as neonatology and pediatric intensive care.

The shortage is particularly acute in rural areas and towns far from major urban centers. In these locations, the departure of a single specialist can severely disrupt hospital shifts and outpatient consultations, jeopardizing the continuity of care for children in the province.