The tension at Hospital Garrahan continues to escalate as doctors and residents express their frustrations over the lack of a formal offer from the government amidst a salary dispute. In a statement released recently, the residents highlighted that despite rumors on social media, they have not seen any increase in pay or concrete proposals from the Ministry of Health. This lack of communication has left them hanging in limbo, eagerly awaiting responses.
Supporting their cause, the heads of service at the hospital emphasized that neither permanent staff nor resident doctors have received any formal and specific proposals for dialogue as mandated by the National Government’s compulsory conciliation order. They stressed that even if there were salary hikes for residents, it wouldn’t address the fundamental issue: the urgent need for a comprehensive wage overhaul for permanent staff members.
The conflict dates back some time, but both residents and permanent physicians agree that it has reached a boiling point over the past year. Residents recall initiating sustained demands dating back to April 2024, which gained public attention in recent weeks with a series of strikes. The situation worsened with abrupt revocations of a 28% pay hike shortly after implementation following Minister Mario Russo’s resignation and Mario Lugones’ appointment.
As tensions mounted, specialists at Garrahan publicly backed residents during press conferences outside the hospital premises, shedding light on critical issues such as brain drain—irreplaceable healthcare professionals forced to seek better-paying opportunities abroad or within private institutions due to meager salaries at Garrahan. This exodus extended beyond just resident doctors to encompass all medical personnel.
During one particular press conference, first-year residents revealed their monthly earnings breakdown—a stark reality painted by long work hours between 60-70 per week with up to 6 24-hour shifts equating to roughly $797,061 monthly or approximately $2,800 per hour worked. This dismal picture painted by frontline workers pointed towards an imminent threat looming over quality healthcare delivery due to understaffing caused by resident shortages.
The heads of different hospital departments echoed concerns about covering increasingly challenging shifts caring for over 250 moderately ill patients in addition to managing around 110 intensive care unit patients and roughly 450 daily consultations—an uphill task compounded by inadequate remuneration structures.
Dialogue channels between governmental authorities and hospital representatives remained stagnant throughout this saga leading up to planned strikes culminating in a march towards the Ministry of Health before compulsory arbitration was enforced mid-conflict.
Leave feedback about this