By constitutional mandate, the provinces are the technical administrative units responsible for the care and protection of the population’s health. Municipalities tend to administer their own resources and implement health programs independently, particularly those municipalities with greater economic power and demographic weight. The Federal Health Council (COFESA) is the institutional context for sectors and jurisdictions to participate in consensus building, establishment of goals, adoption of policies and decision-making.

The National Government has a presence in the provinces through Ministry of Health delegations, Health Services Authorities (Superintendencias), Occupational Risk Authorities (Superintendencias), and Administrators of Retirement and Pension Funds. The principal role of the Ministry of Health has been one of intersectoral negotiation, establishing public policies and legal frameworks, monitoring, knowledge dissemination, and other inherent functions of the central level. The Health Services Authority also plays a relevant role in the “steering role” functions. 

Health System Profile of Argentina

The second edition of the profile was prepared by a group of 30 independent professionals affiliated with the National Academy of Medicine and the Maimónides and Torcuato Di Tella Universities. Technical coordination of the national group was the responsibility of the PAHO/WHO Representative Office in Argentina. The document was reviewed by members of the Cabinet of the Argentine Minister of Health and Social Welfare. Final review, edition, and translation are the responsibility of the Health Systems and Policies Unit, PAHO/WHO, Washington, DC.

Link to Argentina Ministry of Health
Link to PAHO/WHO country office in Argentina