2025 was one of the most conflictive years in the history of the Garrahan Hospital. Union pressure escalated like never before, with more than 40 measures of force implemented with a single objective: to maintain their privileges and destabilize the management of President Javier Milei. Despite this, the hospital continued its activities thanks to thousands of professionals who kept caring for the children, and who are featured in the recently published documentary. They, who truly care for the institution, are the real heroes of this story.
During the election year, what began as a genuine salary demand escalated into an unprecedented conflict. Partial strikes, strikes of 24, 48, and 72 hours, symbolic hugs, “noise protests,” festivals at the hospital entrance, mobilizations, permanent assemblies, and protest festivals. Even on October 31 of that year, an extremely serious episode occurred, which was the takeover of the hospital's management office. There were talks of depletion, crisis, and even a pediatric emergency law was promoted for an emergency that never existed.
The union violence, backed by political parties and media, did not achieve its objective. The hospital continued to function thanks to the commitment of a large part of the staff. As a result, a phase of internal cultural change was initiated: anyone who jeopardizes the functioning of the hospital and, consequently, the health of our patients, will receive the corresponding sanction.
The decision on what to do in the hospital was clear from the beginning: to have a management based on order and transparency where resources are used efficiently to benefit the youngest and the health staff. Following the path set by the President of the Nation and carried out by Minister Mario Lugones, it was demonstrated that the money was in the hospital. The achieved balance allowed for predictability in planning, maintaining growth, and directing resources to where they have the greatest impact on the quality of care. Moreover, this order in finances allowed for a historic salary adjustment, with an increase of 88%.
