Ushuaia Regional Hospital faces critical saturation

The Regional Hospital of Ushuaia (HRU) is experiencing a severe crisis due to a significant surge in patient demand. Dr. Carlos Guglielmi, the hospital's medical director, reported that daily emergency room visits have increased by 50% to 60% compared to previous years. While the facility typically handled between 90 and 100 patients per day, recent figures show daily attendance reaching approximately 150, with a trajectory toward 200 patients.

Guglielmi attributed this saturation to the ongoing economic and social crisis in Tierra del Fuego, noting that job losses and a lack of medical coverage have forced more people to rely on the public hospital. He emphasized that the issue cannot be solved solely by hiring more staff, as the hospital's physical infrastructure and consultation rooms are already at maximum capacity.

Furthermore, the director highlighted failures in the primary healthcare system. He noted that many patients are arriving at the hospital's emergency department because they were unable to receive care at local Primary Health Care Centers (CAPS). Guglielmi called for a systemic review of how these different management areas coordinate to alleviate the pressure on the regional hospital.