Loaded with confusion, anxiety and uncertainty, dozens of patients and members of PAMI They came all morning to the front door of the hotel The Spanish hospital. Some because they had shifts or were scheduled for the next few days; others because they have relatives interned there. Everyone is looking for information and certainties. A red and white band warned that the hospital had been closed for various irregularities. And after a morning of fighting and confusion, in the afternoon it was learned that after a meeting between PAMI and the Government Control Agency It was agreed that if a work plan for resolving the contested points , a decision may be made preventive lifting of the closure.
After an inspection ordered by JusticeIn response to a complaint made after two fires last year, the Government Control Agency (AGC) concluded that “70% of the building was unable to function.” With this assessment, this city control entity closed the hospital and forced PAMI to perform derivation emergency to serve its affiliates and affiliates.
The conflict could begin to be resolved on Wednesday. WFP issued a statement stating that, following a complaint to the Judiciary, the Government Control Agency (AGC) “has committed itself to lift the closure temporary hospital on Wednesday, March 17 “.
In turn, government sources explained that the meeting was attended by representatives of PAMI, the head of the AGC, Matías Lanusse, the administrator involved in the bankruptcy of the Spaniard and representatives of the infrastructure sector of the hospital. And they stated that it was agreed that, to the extent that a work plan, the Buenos Aires entity will assess whether to decide a preventive lifting of the closure. In addition, they clarified that the building will be able to function again as progress is made.
According to the welfare authorities, in the place where he participates 71 thousand people of legal age. It 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 surgeries were scheduled, 680 shifts, the care of 93 cancer patients and the 8 who had to undergo chemotherapy treatments.
In this context, PAMI reported that all spontaneous consultations on the guard will take place derivatives of Milstein Hospital, a former French hospital located a few blocks from the Spanish one in La Rioja 951. “While life-threatening surgeries are scheduled, will take place in the hospital. Outpatient changes and radiotherapy service for cancer patients have been rescheduled. And in the next few hours affiliates and affiliates will be contacted through the phone service at schedule new exchanges “, informed the social assistance spokespersons. As it is not clear what will happen with the closure on Tuesday afternoon, it is likely that the hospital will not operate as usual on Wednesday.
The head of PAMI, Luana Volnovich, at the door of the Spanish hospital, which was closed by the government in Buenos Aires and started a political fight. Photo: Guillermo Rodríguez Adami
With regard to people who are hospitalized, PAMI clarified this will not be transferred: “There is a need for very specific logistics, a protocol that is also crossed by the pandemic. Family members must be informed and authorized,” they reported.
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 unit at the level infrastructure. As reported by the entity, there were no emergency lights in the exits; there was no registration or maintenance of the fire installations; found electrical installations with exposed and melted yarns; lack of maintenance (and maintenance registration) on 12 elevators, forklifts and water heaters; They found 3 tanks with 25 liters of diesel in the basement. And they concluded that 70% of the building – with 11 floors and 2 basements – “It can’t work.”
He was also intervened by the Justice. As Volnovich said, PAMI “is a co-administrator of the hospital and works permanently with the responsible administrator.” “The observation is perfect, because that is what an inspection department has to do. That helps us, they (AGC) are the ones who, in theory, should use their knowledge to guarantees people’s safety “the media official said.
Confusion among PAMI affiliates over the closure of the Spanish hospital, which was closed after a Buenos Aires government inspection. Photo: Guillermo Rodríguez Adami
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. In fact, the members of the Spanish hospital who until December 2019 had preferential care to keep their family doctors and specialists, stopped having this benefit and were left without medical coverage.
Therefore, as he learned Clarion, there were members of life who, in order to keep their regular doctors, did change of address from the province to the capital to serve as PAMI affiliates. Many of them were noted by their parents, Spanish immigrants, when they were born. And they were never deleted. Until the hospital fell into crisis, it accumulated debts and came to be managed by PAMI.
Dolores González is 82 years old and has always spoken Spanish, since she has been a partner since she was born. “I have a change for Wednesday, I called to confirm as well They told me that today and tomorrow they do not participate“But call early Wednesday to see if the hospital works,” he said Clarion. And he added: “I couldn’t participate in this transfer for a year. I came back last year as a PAMI affiliate and I found him better, cleaner and more orderly. And when he orders me, I appear as a former partner. , I have my whole story. clinic and my regular doctors there. “
The hospital was born under the name “Sala Española de Comercio y Asilo de Beneficencia” in 1852. It was the first Spanish group to settle in the country and which welcomed the huge migration from Spain; a wave of migration that intensified in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In those years, immigrant communities founded other hospitals, such as the Italian, German, and British. With different complexities, they came out ahead. All three offer their own health plans. There were others who were shipwrecked, such as the Portuguese and Israeli communities. While that of the French, like the Spaniards, was absorbed by PAMI.
SC