Río Negro advances public health via IDB funding and new residency programs

The province of Río Negro is undertaking significant advancements in its public health sector through both infrastructure modernization and professional training initiatives.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a US$60 million credit to transform the provincial health system. This funding will support a digital modernization plan, including the implementation of electronic medical records, telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and improved biomedical technologies. The goal is to connect patients with hospitals and primary care centers across the province, benefiting over 320,000 residents.

Simultaneously, the Río Negro Ministry of Health has opened pre-registration for its 2026 health residency program. This second call for applications aims to train professionals in various specialties, such as neonatology, mental health, and general surgery, across hospitals in Cipolletti, General Roca, Bariloche, Viedma, and El Bolsón. Unlike previous national schemes, the provincial program offers residents formal employment status with a 44-hour work week and salaries equivalent to permanent staff from their first day.