Loaded with confusion, fear and uncertainty, dozens of patients and members of the PAMI All morning they came to the front door of the Spanish hospitalSome because they had shifts assigned or planned for the coming days; others because they interned relatives there. All looking for information and certainties. A red and white sash warned that the hospital was closed due to various irregularities. And after a morning of fighting and confusion, it was learned in the course of the afternoon that, after a meeting between the PAMI and the Government Control Agency It was agreed that if a work plan to resolve the objections a decision can be made preventive lifting of the closure.
After an inspection ordered by the Ministry of JusticeFollowing a complaint filed after two fires last year, the Government Control Agency (AGC) concluded that “70% of the building was unable to function.” With this evaluation, this city control entity closed the hospital and forced PAMI to implement it distractions of urgency to serve its affiliates and affiliates.
The conflict could be resolved next Wednesday. From the PAMI, they issued a statement indicating that, following a complaint to the Justice Department, the Government Control Agency (AGC) “had committed to lift the clasp temporary hospital on Wednesday, March 17 “.
Government sources for their part explained that the meeting was attended by representatives of PAMI, the head of the AGC, Matías Lanusse, the trustee involved in the bankruptcy of the Spaniards and representatives of the hospital’s infrastructure sector. And they confirmed that it had been agreed upon, as far as that a work plan, The Buenos Aires entity will evaluate whether the decision is one preventive lifting of the closureIn addition, they made it clear that the building can function again as long as progress is made.
According to the authorities of the social work, in the place where they are engaged 71 thousand people of legal ageIt is also the largest referral center for COVID patients in the city, said Luana Volnovich, president of PAMI. He explained that during these hours, 26 operations, 680 shifts, the care of 93 cancer patients and 8 undergoing chemotherapy treatments were on the program.
In this regard, PAMI reported that all spontaneous consultations will be per guard derivadas al Hospital Milstein, former French hospital, located a few blocks from the Spanish hospital, in La Rioja 951. “While life-threatening surgeries are planned, takes place in the hospital. The outpatient clinic is shifting and the radiation service for cancer patients has been relocated. And in the coming hours, the affiliates and affiliates will be contacted via the telephone service plan new services “, informed social work spokespersons. Because it is not clear this Tuesday afternoon what will happen with the closure, it is likely that the hospital will not function at the normal pace on Wednesday.
The head of PAMI, Luana Volnovich, at the door of the Spanish hospital, which was closed by the Buenos Aires government and sparked a political struggle. Photo: Guillermo Rodríguez Adami
With regard to the people who are hospitalized, they clarified that from the PAMI is not transferred: “Very specific logistics are needed, a protocol that is also going through the pandemic. Family members must be informed and also authorized,” they said.
The Spanish hospital was in the midst of a deep economic conflict and has been in great decline for decades. On this occasion, the AGC found a non-viable establishment at the level of the infrastructure. As reported by the entity, there were no emergency lights at the exitThere was no registration or maintenance of the fire service facilities; they found electrical installations at exposed and fused wiresLack of maintenance (and maintenance record) at 12 elevators, forklift trucks and water heaters; They found 3 tanks of 25 liters of diesel in the basement. And they concluded that 70% of the building -with 11 floors and 2 basements- “It is incapable of functioning.”
It has also been intervened by the Justice. As Volnovich said, PAMI “co-manages the hospital and works permanently with the responsible trustee”. “The report is perfect, because it is what an inspection department should do. That helps us, it is they (the AGC) who in theory should use their knowledge to guarantee the safety of people “the official told the media.
Confusion among PAMI branches following the closure of the Spanish hospital, which was closed following an inspection by the Buenos Aires government. Photo: Guillermo Rodríguez Adami
The hospital building belongs to the Spanish mutual aid association, who opened it on December 8, 1877. But medical care is in the hands of PAMI. The members of the Spanish hospital who, until December 2019, had preferential care to keep their GPs and specialists, discontinued this benefit and were without medical coverage.
Therefore, as he taught Clarion, there were members of life who were made to keep their usual doctors address change from province to capital to serve as affiliates of PAMI. Many of them were recorded at birth by their parents, Spanish immigrants. And they have never been erased. Until the hospital went into crisis, it ran into debt and was managed by PAMI.
Dolores González is 82 years old and has always spoken in Spanish as she has been a partner since birth. “I have a shift for Wednesday, I called to confirm and They told me they are not coming today and tomorrow, but call early Wednesday to see if the hospital is working, ”he said ClarionAnd he added, “I was unable to attend this transfer for a year. I came back last year as a PAMI partner and found it better, cleaner and tidier. And when they order me, I show up. as a former partner, so I have my whole story. clinic and my usual doctors there. ”
The hospital was born in 1852 as “Sala Española de Comercio y Asilo de Beneficencia”. It was the first Spanish group to settle and welcome in the country the huge migration that came from SpainA wave of migration that was accentuated in the late 1800s and early 1900s. During those years the immigrant communities also established other hospitals, such as the Italians, the Germans and the British. With different complexities they came ahead. All three offer their own health plans. There were others who were shipwrecked, such as the Portuguese and Israelite communities. While that of the French, like the Spaniards, was also absorbed by PAMI.
SC