This past week has left my mind swimming with thoughts of the three sectors of healthcare in Argentina. Public, obras sociales, and private are terms we have become well acquainted with at this point. That’s why I was surprised when today’s first discussion focused on another way for people to receive healthcare: mutualism.
It’s easier to understand this structure in comparison to Argentina’s unions, or obras sociales. The typical union in Argentina is a for-profit organization that is overseen by the government and relatively fixed and select members. For this sector, employees have a mandatory contribution taken from their pay that helps finance their health services. In contrast, a mutual is a non-profit group with a strong focus on solidarity and reciprocal help. Dr. Marcela Travaglini explained how a mutual stresses the importance of community. People get to know each other closely, and the benefits extend beyond health services and into social assistance for members and families. Contributions of the members are voluntary, with a fixed rate chosen by each year’s board. This consensus and community-driven approach encourage the members to look out for one another and build connections instead of pursuing material gain. It seemed like a very heartfelt approach when compared to the structures we have learned about so far.
Our next destination was the ICBA Instituto Cardiovascular. As we ate the snacks provided, we had a chance to watch as a heart surgery took place! I found the process fascinating and couldn’t believe we had such a close-up view. During the lecture, we learned about how the institution was pursuing innovation and their hopes to incorporate more e-health and AI in the future.
After a 1 hour break for lunch, we headed to Museo de los Inmigrantes. The museum building had once functioned as a hotel that hosted immigrants that came to Argentina. It was strange to think about how the space once held 3000 people, constantly filtering in and out.
I can’t believe it’s only three days until we head back home. This trip has flown by, and I hope to enjoy a few more hearty Argentine meals before heading back to the United States. ¡Hasta luego!
