Last week I was in Rosario, the hometown of Lionel Messi – Isabel Mestres

Last week I was in Rosario, the hometown of Lionel Messi and of my brother’s favorite singer Fito Paez, as well as the place where the Argentinian flag was first flown. But that’s not why I was there 😉

Last year, Rosario was announced as the 13th city in the City Cancer Challenge network, and I traveled to attend the first City Executive Committee meeting and witnessed the commitment of the local and regional governments. It was rewarding to see them working hand in hand to foster effective partnerships and ensure clarity in roles and responsibilities.

In Argentina’s federal government structure, health falls under the responsibility of regional administrations. However, Rosario stands out as a unique case, both nationally and globally. With a remarkable 27% of its budget dedicated to health, the city is known for the quality of their services and infrastructure along the cancer care continuum.

During my visit, I had the privilege to meet with both the M.D. Sonia Martorano, Minister of Health of Santa Fe Province and Pablo Javkin, Mayor of Rosario. We discussed the inspiring collaboration between C/Can and the city, and how it can provide a model for other cities facing similar challenges.

Now, an exciting chapter starts! Over the next months, healthcare professionals across all institutions in the city will selflessly contribute their time and expertise to conduct a comprehensive needs’ assessment. They will gather data that will pave the way for an evidence-based analysis of Rosario’s current health system, allowing the city to identify the gaps, find solutions and, with the support of C/Can partners, take these solutions from ideas to implementation.

It’s been an honor to witness Rosario’s remarkable strides in shaping the future of cancer care. Together, we will inspire other cities and regions to follow in Rosario’s footsteps, ensuring access to quality and equitable cancercare for all.

Source: Isabel Mestres/Linkedin