The national government dismantled the palliative care program of the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Mariana Pechenik, the area's reference, expressed her concern about this decision which will leave more patients without specialized attention or pain relief. "Argentinian palliative care is in mourning," mentioned the specialist.
Pechenik denounced that the dismantling of the national palliative care program of the National Cancer Institute will have serious consequences, such as the increase in the prevalence of cancer and related suffering. Furthermore, she highlighted that there will be more patients without access to qualified personnel in palliative care and pain relief, affecting their human rights.
The Federation of Health Professionals (Fesprosa) warned that cuts have affected hundreds of patients who depended on the delivery of oncological medications that are now suspended due to the lack of responses from the Directorate of Direct Assistance for Special Situations (Dadse). According to Fesprosa, at the beginning of 2024, the government interrupted the care provided by Dadse under the pretext of reorganizing it. This resulted in the suspension of scholarships in excellence services, training courses, and the provision of morphine and methadone nationwide to support severe cancer pain treatment in the most needy provinces.
The decision resulted in the interruption of the delivery of opioids such as morphine and methadone to cancer patients, as well as the dismissal of six out of the eight members of the palliative care team. This cut, according to Fesprosa and other organizations, caused delays in the provision of medications, and unfortunately, at least 60 deaths were reported as a direct consequence of this situation.
