HEALTH & SOCIETY Government rules out free dengue vaccine despite record deaths Today 16:56 Presidential Spokesperson Maneul Adorni says there is no plan to make Dengue vaccine free and compulsory to citizens despite a record number of deaths this year.
HEALTH & SOCIETY Dengue fever cases in Argentina up 2,153% so far in 2024 07-03-2024 15:30 Data from Health Ministry shows worrying explosion of Denge fever cases, rising to more than 57,000 from 2,500 in the same period last year.
Abortion rights Abortion protection in French Constitution is 'message of hope' for other nations 05-03-2024 12:41 France's new "guaranteed freedom" to have an abortion may transcend borders and "give a boost to the recognition of this fundamental right" in the world, experts and activists argue.
Abortion rights France enshrines abortion as constitutional right in world first 04-03-2024 16:39 Lawmakers in Versailles vote to anchor the right to abortion in the constitution, making France the first country in the world to enshrine explicit protection for terminating a pregnancy in basic law.
COST OF CRISIS Food or medicine? Stark choice for the sick 04-03-2024 07:04 At pharmacies across Argentina, people are checking the price of medicines and opting not to purchase – even when it comes to antibiotics. As the economic crisis bites, healthcare has become a luxury some can’t afford.
POLITICS Milei U-turns on Health Ministry and names Florencia Mizrahi to head AFIP 09-12-2023 19:35 Mario Russo appointed Health minister, reversing previous declarations that portfolio would be downgraded; Florencia Mizrahi to lead AFIP tax agency in Javier Milei's new government.
Election 2023 Milei, telepathic conversations with dogs and mental health 02-09-2023 06:17 Beyond allegedly having telepathic conversation with living and dead animals, God and historical economists, Milei has an extremely short fuse, quickly escalating into a level of rage that is uncommon in someone expected to lead in times of crisis. by Agustino Fontevecchia
HEALTHCARE & SOCIETY Briana: six-year-old’s tragic death highlights inequality in Argentina 22-07-2023 06:59 Child mortality is an ongoing tragedy in Argentina’s indigenous communities. The recent death of six-year-old Briana, a member of Salta’s Wichi community, in a hospital waiting-room last March highlights the precarious conditions facing residents in the north of the country and the failure of successive governments to protect the rights of all citizens. by Sabrina Chemen
HEALTHCARE In vaccination champ Brazil, many have stopped getting shots 11-07-2023 15:25 Two years after Brazil began emerging from its pandemic horror show thanks to a massive immunisation campaign, officials face a paradoxical predicament: vaccination rates have plunged, and not just for Covid-19, leaving millions exposed to once-eradicated diseases.
CHILE HEALTH Chile government says private health insurers owe US$1.4 billion in overcharges 11-05-2023 15:04 Chile’s government confirmed that private health insurance companies will have to pay about US$1.4 billion to abide by a 2022 Supreme Court ruling, confirming the worst-case scenario for an industry near collapse.
VENEZUELA HEALTH Vaccine battle against HPV thwarted by cost, stigma in Venezuela 09-05-2023 16:25 Although their government promised years ago to include the HPV vaccine in its free inoculation schedule, Venezuela remains one of the few Latin American countries not to have done so.
Global pandemic WHO: Covid-19 is no longer a global health emergency 05-05-2023 15:26 Covid-19 pandemic no longer constitutes a global health emergency, but the danger is not over, declares World Health Organization.
HEALTH One suicide every three hours in Argentina, Health Ministry reveals 04-05-2023 13:57 Figure emerged from the portfolio’s latest epidemiological report, where it is given as "the fourth cause of death in the 15 to 29 age group.”
HEALTH & SOCIETY Public v private: 1 in 4 solely use state healthcare in Argentina 26-04-2023 13:49 One out of every four solely uses the public healthcare system, though more use private schemes exclusively. The commercial system is more used by men and more women have had to adjust their choices due to inflation. by Sabrina Chemen
HEALTH 39 dead as Argentina suffers largest dengue outbreak since 2020 19-04-2023 14:28 Latest report from National Health Ministry confirms over 41,200 cases and 39 deaths across 15 provinces so far this year.
PONTIFF HOSPITALISED After pizza and prayer, Pope Francis set to leave hospital on Saturday 31-03-2023 12:12 Pope Francis is expected to return home on Saturday after three nights in hospital with bronchitis, and will attend Palm Sunday services.
HEALTH Growing concern over rise in dengue and chikungunya cases 27-03-2023 15:18 Epidemiological authorities note dengue cases are doubling week-by-week, with almost 9,400 cases across 13 provinces recorded in latest medical update. Chikungunya cases are also on the rise, with both viruses surging in provinces of Tucumán, Salta and Santa Fe. by Enrique Garabetyan
PRESIDENT'S HEALTH President to undergo minor medical procedure after back pain complaint 16-03-2023 18:30 Alberto Fernández is set to undergo a minor medical procedure for a lumbar hernia on Thursday after suffering from sharp back pains.
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC Three years on, Argentina wonders if Covid-19 pandemic is really over 06-03-2023 15:57 Thirty-six months after the first patient with Covid-19 was registered in Argentina, one of the government’s top health advisors looks at what we’ve learnt from the virus crisis. by Enrique Garabetyan
AVIAN FLU Government commits one billion pesos to fight bird flu spread 22-02-2023 12:39 Economy Minister Sergio Massa commits one billion pesos in fresh funds to combat avian influenza; Officials fear rapid spread of virus could damage country’s exports.
Society Births, cosmetic surgeries and operations: Health tourism boom 10-01-2023 11:43 Articles detailing the arrival of pregnant Russian women to give birth are the latest tales of health tourism in Argentina, but the country has long established itself as a destination for expert medical assistance. Those in the know explain why the industry is booming – and what are the most sought-after procedures. by Enrique Garabetyan
covid-19 in china Global alarm grows over China's Covid surge 29-12-2022 14:45 Hospitals across China have been overwhelmed by an explosion of infections following Beijing's decision to lift strict rules that had largely kept the virus at bay but tanked the economy and sparked widespread protests.
HEALTH & SOCIETY Covid surge: Officials recommend use of face-masks on public transport 11-12-2022 09:04 Rise in coronavirus cases in Buenos Aires City and Province prompts Transport Ministry officials to call on passengers to return to wearing face-masks.
HEALTH & SOCIETY Argentina records first mpox death 29-11-2022 10:30 Argentina has registered its first death from mpox, the disease formerly known as monkeypox, after a patient died in a hospital in the capital.
Presidential health scare President undergoes medical tests after discomfort at G20 20-11-2022 09:29 President Alberto Fernández underwent an endoscopy on Saturday in Buenos Aires, following up on the health scare he suffered at the G20 Leaders Summit in Bali.
HEALTH Health workers in Buenos Aires strike for improved pay, more staff 08-11-2022 15:44 Hospitals across the capital affected by mass walk-out as healthcare professionals demand “urgent increase” to salaries and “immediate incorporation” of new staff.
Coronavirus pandemic National government ends mandatory use of Covid-19 facemasks 21-09-2022 11:04 National government ends compulsory use of Covid-19 facemasks in enclosed spaces, schools and public transport; Decision now lies in hands of regional governments.
HEALTH Legionnaires' outbreak in Tucumán claims sixth life 05-09-2022 16:42 Latest victim, who died late Sunday, was an 81-year-old patient with comorbidities who had been "in a serious condition" receiving treatment for pneumonia.
HEALTH Legionnaires' disease claims fifth life in Tucumán 04-09-2022 16:48 Legionnaires' disease has claimed a fifth life among patients and staff at a clinic in the northern province of Tucumán, provincial health officials announced Sunday.
HEALTH Health officials links four pneumonia deaths in Tucumán to Legionnaires' disease 03-09-2022 16:30 A fourth patient has died in the mysterious outbreak of a pneumonia of unknown origin in Tucumán, as a local outlet reports that at least one of the 11 infected have tested positive for Legionnaires' disease.
HEALTH Health authorities investigate pneumonia cluster in Argentina; three dead 02-09-2022 17:27 Illnesses have been centred around a private medical clinic in the city of San Miguel de Tucumán, located in the northwest part of the country.
HEALTH Pneumonia of 'unknown origin' kills three in Tucumán 01-09-2022 09:39 Provincial health authorities say three people have died and four others are suffering with bilateral pneumonia. Experts rule out Covid, influenza and Hantavirus as culprits but are continuing to run more tests.
Food and Drink 'Ultra-processed' foods law comes into force in Argentina 22-08-2022 12:54 A law to label foods as ultra-processed came into force in Argentina on Saturday, although it initially only covers a limited range of products and will not apply to all until the end of 2023.
FOOD & DRINK Veganism booms in Buenos Aires 19-08-2022 17:16 In the past few years, veganism has exploded in beef-obsessed Argentina – especially in the nation’s capital. A guide to why it happened, the stores and restaurants leading the plant-based revolution and notes on how you can adopt a greener, healthier, ethical lifestyle. by Rachel Cortes
HEALTH Tobacco consumption falling in the Americas, says PAHO 16-08-2022 16:51 Use of tobacco has dropped from 28% to 16.3% since the turn of the century; Chile has the highest proportion of consumers at 29.2%, with Argentina standing at 24.5%.
HEALTH & SOCIETY UN report says cocaine use has risen in Argentina over past decade 29-06-2022 10:00 Argentina is one of the countries in South America where the consumption of cocaine and psychoactive substances has grown the most over the past decade, according to the latest UN World Drug Report.
ABORTION RIGHTS Argentine demonstrators protest anti-abortion ruling outside US Embassy 27-06-2022 21:02 Group of female protesters march to the American Embassy in Buenos Aires to repudiate US Supreme Court ruling that overturns federal right to abortion in United States.
ABORTION RIGHTS As United States undoes abortion rights, Chile works to enshrine them 27-06-2022 13:22 As the United States loses a five-decade-old right to abortion, Chile is gearing up to enshrine the same right in its constitution.
CATHOLIC CHURCH Pope's future sparks debate, resignation seems unlikely 21-06-2022 11:10 Rumours of Pope Francis' resignation are flaring up again – but experts say Argentine pontiff won't be stepping down in the immediate future.
Coronavirus pandemic Facemasks no longer mandatory in enclosed spaces, says City Hall 16-06-2022 10:51 More than two years on since their introduction, the use of face masks is no longer compulsory in enclosed places in Buenos Aires, City Hall announced this week.
World Blood Donor Day With voluntary blood donors in short supply, experts call for ‘cultural change’ 14-06-2022 16:38 On World Blood Donor Day, a look into blood donations in Buenos Aires. by Mariel Priven
BRITISH POLITICS Boris Johnson: the 'greased piglet' slips away again 06-06-2022 21:51 Conservative leader Boris Johnson – once described as a 'greased piglet' for his powers of political escapology – slips away again.
HEALTH Authorities confirm first case of monkeypox in Argentina 27-05-2022 10:28 Patient is a 40-year-old male who had returned to the country from Spain. The individual has symptoms compatible with the disease, including fever and blisters on some parts of his body.
Coronavirus Pandemic Covid cases continue to rise in Argentina, rising 28% from previous week 23-05-2022 16:20 More than 43,000 Covid-19 infections recorded over past seven days; Over last month, confirmed cases have soared 284%.
RARE DISEASE Health Ministry probing first suspected case of monkeypox in Argentina 23-05-2022 12:26 Patient treated in Buenos Aires returned from Spain a week ago and has symptoms compatible with rare disease, including “pustules on different parts of the body and fever," according to officials.
TOURISM & TRAVEL Chile to reopen Easter Island for tourism for first time since pandemic 22-05-2022 08:28 Popular Pacific Ocean tourist destination Easter Island will reopen to the world on August 1, after more than two years closed due to the pandemic.
Global Pandemic Covid-19 cases on the rise in the Americas, warns PAHO 18-05-2022 16:34 Pan-American Health Organisation warns that Covid-19 cases are rising in the Americas, driven by increasing infections in the United States, which reported over 605,000 new cases last week.
Coronavirus pandemic Argentina entering 'fourth wave' of Covid-19 pandemic, says health minister 17-05-2022 12:12 Health Minister Carla Vizzotti warns Argentina is facing a "fourth wave" of the Covid-19 pandemic, following a 92% jump in infections from the previous week; "No new closures" planned, says official.
Severe Acute Hepatitis Eight suspected cases of severe hepatitis of unknown origin in children in Argentina 06-05-2022 16:01 The Ministry of Health reported Friday that these are isolated and unconnected cases. It also confirmed that "this is not an outbreak" since similar cases are reported every year.
Coronavirus pandemic Expert warns of ‘great concern’ over rise in Covid-19 cases 03-05-2022 16:21 Infectious disease specialist and government advisor Hugo Pizzi warns of increase in number of Covid-19 infections as colder weather arrives.