Our Work in Argentina
Argentinian families affected by cleft face public healthcare limitations, national hyperinflation & more. We’re partnering in Northern Argentina to make cleft care accessible for families in need.
Tiago was born with cleft in Tucumán, Argentina. He adores dinosaurs and football.
Cleft Care in Argentina Today
Historically, families in Northern Argentina would have to travel 500km to access cleft care at a specialized centre, at significant cost.
Today, the public health system provides access to some elements of cleft care and families with private insurance plans may be eligible for subsidies. Bureaucracy, travel distances, costs, and limited access to cleft professionals are still barriers to effective and timely care.
Transforming Faces has long-term partnerships in the northern provinces of Tucumán and Santiago Del Estero. We work with our local partners to ensure that barriers to care can be navigated and that low-income families are supported with access to ongoing specialised Comprehensive Cleft Care.
Fast Facts
- Population: 45,800,000
- Capital: Buenos Aires
- Below Poverty Line: 35%
- Cleft Incidence: 1000+ / year
Key Challenges
Psychosocial Support
Children born with cleft in Argentina are often subject to bullying at school - even after surgery. The impact on their psychosocial wellbeing is profound and access to support is critical.
Parent Support
Parents in Northern Argentina face hyperinflation, currency instability, and psychosocial challenges. Parent support groups are proving to be a promising resource.
Transportation Assistance
Families living in rural contexts need to travel to the nearest centre for care and public transit is often not an affordable option. Access to transportation assistance makes all the difference.
Program Successes
Patients accessed Comprehensive Cleft Care services in Northern Argentina
Patients participated in Peer Support Groups (PSGs) aimed at building confidence and a sense of community
Cleft care professionals are mobilizing comprehensive care in Northern Argentina
“In Argentina, a barrier to care has been misunderstandings about cleft. Health professionals often can’t provide adequate information to families and children receive uncoordinated care. In schools, teachers and institution leaders regularly classify cleft as a condition that limits their learning capacity.”
- Gabriela Reinoso, President, Fundación Gavina
Stories from Argentina
Two-year-old tech-savvy Georgina doesn’t hesitate to call her grandma on WhatsApp when she wants to talk. When the TF team visited her, she was keen to show off her technology-inspired toys. And her favourite food to eat? French fries, even if her parents wish it were broccoli! Reflecting on their journey with Georgina’s cleft so…
Tiago loves dinosaurs (what 8-year-old doesn’t?), soccer (he is the local team’s biggest fan!) and sweets (especially the homemade ones his mom is famous for). He shares a home in northern Argentina with three siblings, a cousin and his loving mother. When her son was born with a cleft, Tiago’s mom was in a state…
Today, TF is celebrating our intrepid Argentinian partner, Fundacion GAVINA! We recently learned that our partner has been awarded special recognition from the provincial government for the fourth consecutive year in a row – recognizing their tremendous impact in the non-profit sector. Fundacion GAVINA has been collaborating with the provincial Ministry of Health in Tucuman…
TF proudly encourages our partners to share their extensive expertise with other cleft professionals. This is an important way to build up the cleft profession in our partner countries – and expand access to comprehensive cleft care more broadly. This October, 200 Latin American cleft professionals participated in the 14th National Cleft Lip and Palate…
Our Partners in Cleft Care
TF has been supporting partners in Argentina since 2006.
Our Partnerships in Argentina
- Fundación Gavina, Tucumán
- Asociación Simi Sumaq, Santiago del Estero
- Hospital Zonal Dr. Isola de Puerto Madryn