In 2024, a serious incident that took place in the province of Buenos Aires caused strong criticism of the actions of the ultra-Kirchnerist governor Axel Kicillof and his administration, after the use of a medical helicopter was denied to transfer a child who had suffered a serious accident in the city of Mercedes on an emergency basis.
The situation occurred in a context of extreme medical urgency. The minor, named Martiniano, had initially been treated at the Blas L. Dubarry Hospital, where he underwent emergency neurosurgery due to the severity of his condition.
However, despite the complexity of the clinical picture and the need for an immediate transfer to a higher-complexity center, the air transfer was rejected twice by provincial authorities.
This stands in clear contrast to the recent transfer of businessman Alberto Samid from Uruguay to Argentina, via a PBA medical flight after he had been hospitalized in the neighboring country, and the availability of this type of resource when there is a political decision to use it.
The refusal in Martiniano's case involved both the Buenos Aires Police, which was under the authority of the Security Minister, Javier Alonso, and the Buenos Aires Ministry of Health, headed by Nicolás Kreplak. Those departments argued that the medical helicopter was not available for the child's transfer, since it was reserved exclusively for the use of police officers, their relatives, or detainees.
