Argentina’s healthcare is crumbling under its worst ever dengue epidemic and Milei’s presidency

The worst dengue outbreak in the history of the country; a zombie health ministry; hundreds of patients with cancer left without treatment; and the dismantling of academic and scientific infrastructure—the first four months of Javier Milei’s presidency have been dramatic for Argentina.1

Lowering inflation and reducing the fiscal deficit are the number one priorities for Milei and his right wing libertarian party La Libertad Avanza. Milei, a former economist, TV panellist, and sex coach, has reiterated his aim to eliminate universal healthcare.

The government is committed to reducing the power of state departments. One example is the Directorate of Direct Assistance for Special Situations (DADSE), a state institution that provides subsidies for patients with conditions such as cancer, haemophilia, or autoimmune diseases, who cannot otherwise afford treatment. Previously part of the Ministry of Social Welfare (renamed in December as the Ministry of Human Capital), it is now a sub-department of the Ministry of Health. It took until 19 March, 100 days after Milei took office, for a new head of DADSE …