Milei ignores the unions and will grant raises to regular Garrahan residents

In a new display of authority, efficiency, and support for medical work, the Government of Javier Milei decided to grant a significant salary increase to the resident doctors at Garrahan Hospital, ignoring the rejection from unions aligned with Kirchnerism who insist on maintaining strike actions, even though the professionals accepted the improvement and resumed their duties.

The decision was formalized through a memorandum sent days ago by the Ministry of Health to the residents of the emblematic pediatric hospital. The document detailed an increase of $500,000 for resident doctors, raising their monthly income to $1,300,000, and to $1,500,000 for chief residents. This salary adjustment policy, anchored in merit and effective job performance, takes place within the framework of a deep reorganization of the hospital driven by the libertarian administration.

However, despite the unprecedented improvement, the unions responding to opposing political interests rejected the proposal during an assembly and announced the continuation of strike actions. The paradox is that the very workers who benefited from the increase had already accepted the offer and expressed their willingness to return to their regular healthcare duties.

The Minister of Health, Mario Lugones, did not avoid the conflict and was categorical in stating that "hospital resources must be allocated to healthcare personnel, not to paid political activists". His message, shared on social media, was echoed by President Javier Milei, who emphatically supported the measure and reiterated his commitment to an austere, efficient administration focused on the true workers of the healthcare system.

"This increase is part of a new stage aimed at order, efficiency, and recognition of merit, promoted by the Ministry of Health in all national hospitals," Lugones declared. He also did not hesitate to point out the irregularities that still persist within the hospital: "It is relevant to mention that, despite the hundreds of administrative staff hired at Garrahan Hospital, the aforementioned measure will be communicated through the internal communication system on Monday because on Sundays 'they are not available'", he remarked ironically.

Meanwhile, Garrahan authorities are moving forward with an ambitious structural transformation to optimize the use of public resources. Among the highlighted measures is the implementation, starting June 1, of a biometric attendance control system. This tool will allow the detection of unjustified absences and will put an end to the impunity of the "ñoquis"—many of them linked to previous administrations—who collected salaries without working, harming both committed staff and patients.

Thanks to the savings caused by eliminating these unproductive positions, the hospital will allocate funds directly to medical staff. Starting July 1, residents will receive salaries of $1,300,000, and chief residents, $1,500,000, as a clear sign that the national government is willing to reward effort, commitment, and vocation over political favoritism. Far from yielding to union pressures, Javier Milei's Government once again sets the course.