Under the slogan "We want a hospital, not a dispensary," residents of La Falda protested in front of the Municipal Hospital. The main demand was the urgent reopening of the operating room, which has been closed for two months due to a lack of resources. They demand the restoration of obstetrics and surgery services, which are essential to guarantee childbirths in the city.
The demonstration included a symbolic embrace of the hospital, with a strong demand directed at Mayor Javier Dieminger. The demonstrators called for the prompt approval of the regional center-north Punilla health integration project. The goal is to elevate the hospital to intermunicipal status and require mayors to guarantee its operation.
Additionally, they requested the holding of a public hearing, which has been delayed by the Executive despite growing social unrest. The organizations reported resignations of professionals and a reduction in on-call hours as a direct consequence of the cutbacks. They also expressed their rejection of the municipality's intention to outsource services instead of strengthening the public system.
Hospital municipal de La Falda
Administration questioned for prioritizing other areas over public health
The renowned local pediatrician Benjamín Malamud warned about the role Dieminger may assume if he continues with this policy. He asked the mayor to join other community leaders to defend the hospital, especially for residents without health insurance. He also criticized that, while projects are being planned in other cities, the northern area of the department continues to be postponed.
"Health personnel can't continue to be exploited," Malamud warned in light of the deteriorating working conditions. The lack of investment is affecting the entire region, and local responsibility can no longer be evaded with excuses. Dieminger's administration has shown alarming passivity in the face of the ongoing health emergency.
On-call doctors, civil organizations, and social movements such as Ni Una Menos La Falda participated in the protest. Representatives from CeProFa, Jubilados en Movimiento Punilla, and self-organized residents were also present. The message was clear: public health is at risk and the current administration is not meeting the needs.
Javier Dieminger junto a Larreta, de quien fue precandidato a diputado en su lista de JxC en Córdoba en el 2023
Professionals leaving and a public system on the verge of collapse
Carla Soto, an obstetrician and gynecologist at the hospital, denounced the depletion of the health system by the governments. She stated that it is not an issue exclusive to La Falda, but that the deterioration there is more visible and alarming. She warned that there is an intentional effort to weaken the public system to justify its subsequent privatization.
Soto reported that young professionals choose to leave because in La Falda neither salaries nor working conditions are respected. She said that entire teams in pediatrics and internal medicine have been dismantled due to staff departures. "Unfortunately, here you are just a number; neither years nor vocation matter," she stated with resignation.
It should be recalled that in April the hospital suspended surgeries and childbirths due to the lack of anesthesiologists as a result of non-payment of their salaries. Because of this, patients must travel to Hospital Domingo Funes, located more than 35 km (21.7 miles) away, with transportation costs exceeding $60,000.
The abandonment of the hospital by the municipality continues and jeopardizes the health of the entire region. Without staff, without an operating room, and without serious policies, the hospital is being emptied while the community demands answers. The lack of direction and political will has left Dieminger as the main person responsible for the health system's collapse.
