Day 10 in Argentina! Our first stop of the day was Sanatorio de los Arcos. Here, the medical manager of Sancor Mutual Association, Dra. Marcela Travaglini, gave us a presentation on the general philosophy and advantages of joining a mutual. . She described mutualism as an organization based on the solidarity principle that offers healthcare services and benefits to its members. The associations have a non-profit orientation, and membership is entirely optional. In essence, people join a mutualist association by paying dues and contributions, which are typically taken out of their paycheck. In exchange, the association provides its members and their families with medical and social benefits. Mutualism is a major component of the healthcare system in Argentina. To give you an insight on how big it is, Sanco Mutual Association has about 700,000 members, which is almost as many as Swiss Medical Group. We can highlight the distinctions between a mutualism association and a health insurance firm by contrasting Swiss Medical Group with Sancor Mutual Association. The administration, finance, coverage, membership, and coverage of each company, respectively, account for the majority of these disparities.  Instead of being funded by volunteers, insurance firms are supported by mandatory contributions made by employers and employees, respectively.  Additionally, they might have financial objectives. It was intriguing to learn about this fresh idea today because during our trip all we have been discussing is the various healthcare insurances here in Argentina. 

We the headed out to Insituto Cardiovascular de Buenos Aires (ICBA), a leading medical institution focused on diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Here, a group of doctors talked to us about their strategic objectives and goals. We also learned about the clinic’s technology and innovations and I found it very interesting that they use the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and an inspiring institution. Then, we got to see a live camera of an open heart surgery! Definitely the highlight of my day. 

For our last visit of the day, we saw the Museum of the Immigrants. I found it interesting to learn about the people that came to Argentina in the late 1800s in search of better chances. The museum building itself actually used to be the place where immigrants would stay in as soon as they arrived in the country. These individuals would stay here at night and leave during the day to hunt for employment. The museum was filled with exhibits detailing the biographies and experiences of these immigrants, showcasing the diversity of cultures and their influence on immigration in Argentina. I can’t believe our time here is coming to an end. See you guys tomorrow!