ATE rejected the appointment of Mariano Pirozzo at the Garrahan Hospital and called for a strike.
The Internal Board of ATE Garrahan condemned the appointment of Mariano Pirozzo as the new medical director of Garrahan Hospital. According to the union, this is a political intervention promoted by the national government. In response, they called for a strike with mobilization for this Thursday, July 10, at noon.
"The new director was not chosen for his medical merits , but for his closeness to those pushing to deplete the public health system," said Alejandro Lipcovich, secretary general of ATE Garrahan. He asserted that the appointment was promoted by Health Minister Mario Lugones and would be linked to a plan of adjustments and layoffs .
The union reported that Mariano Pirozzo attempted to close the Bonaparte National Hospital and is now arriving at Garrahan with the goal of implementing a policy of staff cuts . "He has a history of wanting to lay off 200 workers at the national mental health hospital," Lipcovich added.
Gerardo Oroz, deputy delegate, also criticized the appointment. " Javier Milei 's government is seeking to transform Garrahan into a political base for La Libertad Avanza . Therefore, we will respond with a massive strike and a symbolic embrace of the hospital this Thursday," he said. They also confirmed their participation in the July 17 march from Congress to Plaza de Mayo in defense of the hospital and its workers.
At the same time, Congress discussed a bill declaring a one-year health emergency . The ruling includes a salary increase for healthcare workers, a central demand of the sector's unions. "This demonstrates the social and legislative support for our struggle, despite the government's maneuvers to stifle it," said ATE.
Meanwhile, the hospital's Board of Directors defended Pirozzo's appointment. They asserted that he has " extensive experience in neurosurgery " and experience in hospital management. The president of the Board, Mariel Sánchez, explained that his appointment seeks to "strengthen institutional order" at Garrahan.
Pirozzo graduated from Maimonides University, specialized in neurosurgery at the Central Military Hospital, and is currently pursuing postgraduate studies at ISALUD and the University of San Andrés. He was head of neurosurgery at the Sagrada Familia Clinic, coordinator at El Cruce Hospital, and director at Baldomero Sommer Hospital.
The Ministry of Health reported that his arrival at Garrahan is part of an institutional reorganization plan. Before taking office, he met with national authorities and the Board of Directors to agree on a management approach focused on "efficiency, transparency, and quality of care."
The conflict remains open. The unions assert that they will not accept any measures that involve layoffs , cutbacks, or the loss of rights. This Thursday, the strike at Garrahan will mark the beginning of a new phase of tension between the government and public health workers.
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