Navigating the healthcare system in Buenos Aires can feel like piecing together a grand puzzle, where public and private sectors coexist in a dynamic relationship.
In this comprehensive guide from ExpatPathways, discover how Buenos Aires, home to one of the best public universities for medicine, nurtures top health professionals like the esteemed Dr. René Favaloro.
Understand the significant differences between the healthcare services in the Province and the City of Buenos Aires, and the debates over potential restrictions on medical care for non-residents due to system bottlenecks.
With a robust network of hospitals, private clinics, and an impressive array of pharmacies, Buenos Aires ensures that health care and wellness are accessible for digital nomads, travelers, and expats alike.
Health Care and Wellness in Buenos Aires: A Complete Guide For Foreigners
Overview of the Health System in Buenos Aires
The health care system in Buenos Aires is composed of three main sectors, each gaining or losing prominence in society depending on the economic cycles of Argentina.
- Public Sector: This sector serves more than 50% of the population, offering free medical care to all. However, it often suffers from long waiting lists due to high demand and funding issues.
- Social Health Insurance (Obras Sociales): These plans are designed for unionized or registered workers, covering a significant portion of the population.
- Private Health Care: Although this sector caters to a smaller segment of the population, it offers the highest quality of care.
Generally, the public sector provides good medical attention but faces challenges related to consultation overload and financial constraints.
| Health Sector | Description | Coverage | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Hospitals | Free medical care for all residents. | 50%+ of the population | Good attention but long wait times due to high demand. |
| Private Health Care | High-quality medical services available at a cost. | Smaller portion of the population | Clinics and sanatoriums offer superior care with shorter wait times. |
| Social Plans | Health plans for unionized or registered workers. | Significant portion of the population | Funded through worker contributions, providing a middle ground between public and private care. |
| Health Outside Buenos Aires | Quality of health care decreases significantly outside Buenos Aires. | Residents of the Province and other regions | Residents often seek medical care in Buenos Aires due to better facilities, causing strain on the city’s health system. Disparities in care quality across different regions. |
How Easy is it to Find Pharmacies in Buenos Aires?
Finding a pharmacy in Buenos Aires is quite easy, as there is approximately one pharmacy per block. Almost every neighborhood has its own pharmacies, ensuring that you won’t need to walk more than five blocks to find the nearest one.
In recent years, large pharmacy chains like Farmacity have significantly expanded, opening large stores in various parts of Buenos Aires, especially along major avenues.
There are three main types of pharmacies in Buenos Aires:
- Neighborhood Pharmacies: These have been in operation for several decades, often family-run, and usually small in size. They are preferred for their reliability and personalized service.
- Pharmacies Near Hospitals: These pharmacies serve as an intermediary between neighborhood pharmacies and large chains. They often operate 24 hours a day due to their proximity to hospitals and health centers.
- Large Pharmacy Chains: Examples include Farmacity, La Santé, and Farmaplus. These chains have outcompeted many neighborhood pharmacies. Some operate 24 hours, while others follow regular business hours.
Vaccines for Traveling to Buenos Aires and Argentina
When discussing vaccines for travelers, there are three categories to consider:
- Routine Vaccines: These are part of the national vaccination schedule.
- Mandatory Vaccines: Required by the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005).
- Recommended Vaccines: Based on diseases or outbreaks in the travel destination.
To maintain control and elimination of vaccine-preventable diseases, it is crucial to visit the nearest vaccination center.
All vaccines in the National Schedule are mandatory, free, and administered at vaccination centers, health centers, and public hospitals across the country. The schedule includes vaccines for all life stages, special situations, and specific groups.
Considerations for Vaccination
- Your medical history, vaccination background, pre-existing conditions, age, and pathologies.
- The type of trip: accommodation, duration, and planned activities.
- The itinerary: just Buenos Aires or other cities as well.
Routine Vaccines
Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include:
- Chickenpox (Varicella)
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
- Flu (Influenza)
- Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
- Polio
- Shingles
In these cases, follow the vaccination schedule. Risk factors include obesity, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, chronic heart diseases, congenital or acquired immunodeficiencies, oncohematologic diseases, organ or bone marrow transplants, and chronic kidney failure on dialysis, among others. To promote vaccination among people with risk factors, present a medical order or any document certifying pre-existing conditions.
COVID-19 Vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines can be administered alongside any other vaccine, either on the same day or on different days, without requiring a specific interval between doses. These vaccines are available at various vaccination points in Buenos Aires. You can book an appointment online, choosing the location, date, and time.
Chikungunya
There has been evidence of chikungunya virus transmission in Argentina within the last five years. Chikungunya vaccination may be considered for:
- People aged 65 or older, especially those with underlying medical conditions, who may spend at least two weeks in areas with mosquitoes.
- People planning to stay in Argentina for a cumulative period of six months or more.
This insect usually appears during high-temperature periods and has recently spread beyond the coastal and Mesopotamian regions.
Hepatitis A
Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Argentina. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated. Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or younger than six months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, effective for up to two months. Unvaccinated travelers over 40, immunocompromised individuals, or those with chronic conditions should get the initial dose of vaccine and immune globulin before traveling.
Hepatitis B
Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Argentina. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may also get vaccinated before traveling.
Measles
Due to the rise in measles cases worldwide, travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the MMR vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to CDC recommendations.
Rabies
While dogs infected with rabies are uncommon in Argentina, the disease is found in some wildlife species and bats. Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to rabid animals and difficulty accessing post-exposure prophylaxis. Consult a healthcare provider to determine the need for pre-exposure vaccination.
Typhoid
Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.
Yellow Fever
Recommended for travelers nine months old or older going to Corrientes and Misiones Provinces. Generally not recommended for travel to Formosa Province or designated areas of Chaco, Jujuy, and Salta Provinces. Not recommended for travel limited to other provinces or areas.
| Vaccine Category | Vaccine Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Routine Vaccines | Chickenpox (Varicella) | Ensure up-to-date as per the routine vaccination schedule. |
| Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis | Ensure up-to-date as per the routine vaccination schedule. | |
| Flu (influenza) | Ensure up-to-date as per the routine vaccination schedule. | |
| Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) | Ensure up-to-date as per the routine vaccination schedule. | |
| Polio | Ensure up-to-date as per the routine vaccination schedule. | |
| Shingles | Ensure up-to-date as per the routine vaccination schedule. | |
| COVID-19 Vaccine | COVID-19 | Can be administered with other vaccines. Available at various vaccination points in Buenos Aires. |
| Chikungunya Vaccine | Chikungunya | Recommended for travelers aged 65+ or those staying 6+ months in mosquito-prone areas. |
| Hepatitis A Vaccine | Hepatitis A | Recommended for unvaccinated travelers 1 year old or older. Infants 6-11 months should also be vaccinated. |
| Hepatitis B Vaccine | Hepatitis B | Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old. |
| Measles Vaccine | Measles | Recommended for all international travelers, including an early dose for infants 6-11 months. |
| Rabies Vaccine | Rabies | Recommended for those at risk of exposure to potentially rabid animals. |
| Typhoid Vaccine | Typhoid | Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with locals or visiting rural areas. |
| Yellow Fever Vaccine | Yellow Fever | Recommended for travelers ≥9 months old going to specific provinces. Generally not recommended for Formosa or designated areas of Chaco, Jujuy, and Salta. Not needed for other regions. |
Insects in Argentina
Although Argentina is not a tropical country, it has recently experienced outbreaks associated with insects like dengue and zika. High temperatures, humidity, and poor living conditions in some areas of Buenos Aires necessitate precautions.
Besides vaccination, use mosquito repellent and avoid exposing arms and legs in areas with high mosquito presence. In Buenos Aires, mosquitoes are generally not a significant issue, but the spread of mosquitoes like dengue can vary with summer weather conditions.
How Good is the Healthcare System in Buenos Aires?
The healthcare system in Buenos Aires is excellent, thanks to the combined efforts of private healthcare, social health plans, and a robust public health system funded by all Argentinians.
In Buenos Aires, private clinics, sanatoriums, and public hospitals work together in a network that provides care not only to the residents of the Capital Federal (Autonomous City of Buenos Aires) but also to people coming from the Province of Buenos Aires, the rest of Argentina, and even foreigners.
How Good is the Healthcare System Outside Buenos Aires?
The quality of the healthcare system outside the City of Buenos Aires significantly decreases. In recent years, a dispute between the authorities of the City and the Province of Buenos Aires has not been resolved.
Many people from the Province choose to seek care in the health centers of the City due to poor or non-existent quality of care in the Province and because many provincial residents work in Buenos Aires City. This phenomenon creates bottlenecks in medical care in a health system often on the verge of collapse.
Therefore, the quality of the healthcare system outside Buenos Aires is inferior to that of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. Additionally, the distances to health centers in the Province are significantly greater than in the City, and some towns and cities in the Province lack their own health centers.
In the rest of Argentina, the quality of the healthcare system depends on the provinces, typically reflecting the “prosperity” of each jurisdiction and the importance placed on health services in the budget.
Best Clinics and Hospitals in Buenos Aires
In the City of Buenos Aires, you will find the best clinics and health centers in Argentina, including both private clinics and sanatoriums and public hospitals that boast excellent professionals and manage emergencies despite the lack of resources and state recognition.
How Good Are the Doctors in Buenos Aires?
Buenos Aires is home to some of the most distinguished doctors in Argentina. The possibility of accessing a completely free medical education results in one of the highest ratios of doctors to patients. Doctors usually complete a residency of 2 to 5 years in health centers and hospitals in Buenos Aires.
What is the Level of English Among Doctors in Buenos Aires?
Argentina has the best level of English in Latin America2. However, this doesn’t mean that all doctors can communicate effectively in English. In private clinics or sanatoriums, you are less likely to encounter communication issues.
However, this might not be the case in public hospitals or with nursing professionals. Additionally, home medical assistance may not guarantee English communication. It’s advisable to have a live translator handy to ensure clear communication during medical consultations.
What to Do When You Feel Sick in Buenos Aires?
- Verify that your health coverage or insurance is active and check what it covers.
- Research nearby health centers and hospitals: private, paid, and free options.
- Don’t forget your personal identification and any relevant medical documents.
- Have a translator ready to avoid communication issues.
- If the health problem is serious, contact your country’s embassy in Buenos Aires.
- Ensure you understand the doctor’s prescription, the medications, or tests prescribed, and keep the payment receipt if it was a paid consultation.
What is the approximate cost of a medical consultation if I pay for it myself?
The cost of a medical consultation in Buenos Aires ranges from $25 to $40 if you pay out of pocket and don’t have medical coverage.
The exact price depends on the complexity of the consultation and the establishment where it takes place.
Where to call in case of emergencies in Buenos Aires?
911 is the emergency system of Buenos Aires. The 911 has capacity for 50 operators and there are 40 unit dispatch spaces. The response time to the call is five seconds and the mobile phones arrive at the location in approximately 5 minutes. The City works tirelessly to incorporate more technological tools and take care of those who live and circulate through its neighborhoods.
On the other hand, you have the number 103, which allows you to communicate with the SAME (Emergency Medical Care System) in the event of any health problem. The Emergency Medical Care System is the public system of medical care for emergencies and emergencies, both individual and collective. You must save both 103 and 911 as priority and quick call numbers.
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Buenos Aires?
Tap water in Buenos Aires is safe to drink. You can use it for cooking and drinking directly without issues. There are also various options for bottled mineral and purified water, including home delivery services that provide large containers of water and a dispensing system. These companies operate on weekdays, typically delivering once a week.
How Easy is it to Acquire Condoms in Buenos Aires?
In Argentina, the free provision of condoms is established by law (National Law 25.673). You can request them at health centers and hospitals, and they are also provided free of charge through social health plans and pre-paid health systems.
Additionally, condoms can be purchased at any store, pharmacy, or kiosk, ensuring easy access for safe sexual practices.
Last Considerations
Have you considered how the healthcare and wellness system in Buenos Aires could impact your stay as a digital nomad, traveler, or expat? Despite its deficiencies and limitations, the health care system in Buenos Aires stands out as one of the best in the region.
The free and accessible services, though strained by economic crises and high demand, are complemented by the high quality of healthcare professionals.
Now, you are equipped with essential information on the necessary vaccines for Argentina, the safety of tap water, the ease of finding a pharmacy, and even where to acquire condoms for your protection.
Remember, arriving in Argentina with pre-arranged health coverage is crucial for a worry-free experience. Dive into the vibrant life of Buenos Aires with confidence, knowing that ExpatPathways has you covered.
(Featured Image Source: Axel Kicillof/flickr.com)
