[Health manpower in Argentina]

Abstract

The health manpower situation in Argentina is characterized by a lack of proportion among categories of personnel, an unbalanced geographic distribution, the incorporation of health activities in certain categories of personnel, and a lack of coordination among personnel-training institutions. The different categories of personnel have evolved without any coherent or sustained policy (the number of nonmedical professional personnel increased by more than 100% between 1969 and 1980). The most recent data reveal a persistent trend toward clustering in capital cities and major commercial centers, although the large number of physicians in these places has compelled professionals to practice in small rural localities as well. While this maldistribution is widespread in the country, Buenos Aires province is a classic example of an imbalance between the proportions of physicians and nurses (in 1983 there were reportedly 27,307 physicians and 11,722 nurses). Moreover, there is no coordination whatever between the demand for physicians and the numbers of physicians graduating, not is there any planning for the posts of other health professionals. The authors note that, while women account for 60% of the personnel, they are clustered mainly in the categories of auxiliaries and aides (in 1980, 80% of the professional and directorial positions were held by men). Rectification of this system-wide manpower imbalance is part of the National Health Insurance plan proposed in 1985 and based on five principles: universal coverage, the national will, pluralism, community participation, and federalism.