Argentina and Bolivia reached an agreement on health

February 26, 2019

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Argentineans in Bolivia will be treated free of charge.

The government of Argentina and Bolivia have agreed that "The Argentineans who are the Bolivian territory, whatever their immigration status, are treated universally and free"as it already happens otherwise.

The agreement, which was concluded Monday at a meeting of the Technical Working Group on Health Bolivia-Argentina, came after the governor of Jujuy, Gerardo Morales, will put on the agenda the lack of reciprocity in public health between the two countries.

The meeting was attended by authorities from the two ministries of foreign affairs, the ministry of health and the governorate of Jujuy. And while details still need to be defined of this cooperation agreement, when it is completed, will be officially announced by videoconference. They believe this will happen in March.

The debate was settled on the agenda after Bolivia's Manuel Vilca, a 35-year-old Argentinean musician, crashed in Bolivia and had to pay nearly $ 10,000 for medical care, which provoked a tough battle. diplomacy between the president of this country. , Evo Morales and Governor Morales.

Government seeks to sign a reciprocal agreement with Bolivia on health care

In this regard, the head of the province complained of the lack of reciprocity, since Bolivians who are served in Argentina pay no fees in public hospitals.

In addition, Morales badured that the difference "it's unfair" and Vilca had received a "Inhuman Tato". Outraged, he spread the vouchers detailing what this patient was paying for his hospitalization, including the cost of toilet paper.

Then, the statement of the Argentine Foreign Ministry

"On the day of the meeting, the Technical Working Group on Health in Bolivia – Argentina met with the participation of the authorities of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Ministries of Health and the presence of the Government of the Province of Jujuy .

In conclusion, the parties agreed, in the context of the recently adopted Universal Health Law in the neighboring country, that Argentines who are in Bolivia, regardless of their immigrant status, are treated universally and free under the principle of reciprocity in health care.under the same conditions as Bolivians.

The technical delegations are still working on finalizing the cooperation agreement in the field of health. The remaining points to be agreed will be dealt with in a videoconference to be held during the month of March, where it should culminate in the final definition of the agreement. "