Expat guide to Argentina: health care So how is a republic of great economic potential, huge land mass and 40 million citizens, mainly of European origin, doing on the health front? Fairly well, although other South American states have caught up or overtaken. In half a century, the South American continent has made great progress in protecting the lives of newborns. In 1960, for every 1,000 live births in Argentina, 61 died within one year. That is shocking by current standards. But in Brazil and Chile in 1960, infant mortality was 130 per 1,000 live births - more than double Argentina's rate. At that time, Mexico was losing 96 infants per 1,000. In the latest World Bank figures (for 2010), Chile was the star performer, reducing infant mortality to 7.7 per 1,000 live births, overtaking Argentina on 12.3 deaths. Brazil (17.3 deaths) and Mexico (14.1 deaths) still have much to do. Overall life expectancy in Argentina is 77 years, some two years short of that in the UK (male 74 years, female 80). It is better than most Latin American states, with Chile a clear exception. Argentina does not stint on health care, spending 9.5 per cent of GDP, matching European levels. But services were badly disrupted by the financial crash and sovereign debt default of 2001-2. This is thought to account for the country losing its strong position in the continent's health league tables. Care is generally good, but with fewer facilities in parts, particularly the poorer North. The country is adequately staffed by doctors. There are 3.2 practising physicians per 1,000 citizens. That is slightly down on Western European averages, but more than in the UK (2.7 doctors per 10,000). Private hospitals are well rated, well equipped and not seen as unduly expensive. Health care is provided through three systems: Public. Free health care for all is written into Argentina's constitution. Standards vary, as do waiting times for consultant appointments and surgery. The obras sociales, or union-backed health insurance funds for the use of employees or staff groups. There are more than 300 such health funds, with each chapter being organised according to the occupation of the beneficiary. Cover varies greatly, as does care provision. Private. This covers nearly two million Argentines. They use private medical insurers. Expats report a broadly satisfactory provision of care. Private hospitals are usually better equipped and better staffed than in the other two systems. UK-based insurers approve of standards in the independent sector. Karen Teasdale, marketing operations manager for Axa PPP International, said: "Private health care is good in Argentina, but one should have insurance at least to cover transport to hospital. Quality of care is particularly high in Buenos Aires, as exemplified by the strong growth in the health tourism industry. But standards are lower elsewhere, and a lack of skilled nursing staff aggravates the problem outside the capital. South American countries are far from corruption-free. But Dr Sneh Khemka, medical director of Bupa International, would not include Argentina among the worst offenders. "While some other South American countries are excessively expensive - notably Brazil, with a flourishing trade in medical tourism - prices in Argentina remain moderate," he said. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice is unequivocal on the need for insurance. "You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling," it says. Check for any exclusions and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. The cost is not unreasonable for expats needing international private medical cover. Premiums are certainly well under those applied in the North American continent, according to broker Stephen Walker, of Medical Insurance Services in Brighton. Man, 25 Aviva, Axa PPP and InterGlobal are on a list of plans Mr Walker recommends for Argentina. A single man, 25, would pay £1,212 a year for Aviva's International Solutions Core plan. This is a comprehensive scheme, meaning both inpatient and outpatient fees are covered, although in this particular instance, the plan suffers from reduced outpatient cover. This can matter because, increasingly, patients are treated in outpatient clinics (saving hospital cash, reducing the risk of cross-infection). Scans and other diagnostic procedures are becoming more sophisticated - and thus expensive. Reflecting the reduced cover, the difference in premium between Aviva's comprehensive plan and budget scheme (inpatient only) is just £120. For the 25-year old, MediCare International Plus, a comprehensive plan, costs £1,203 a year and £912 for the budget version. Bupa's Classic is £1,743 (budget £921). Axa PPP Comprehensive is £1,067 (budget £834). InterGlobal's equivalent is £1,086 (budget £706). Couple, 34 and 31 A 15 per cent "starter discount" offered by IMG, an American provider with a developing European presence, makes its cover the least expensive for a couple of 34 and 31 in Argentina. They would pay £2,198 a year for IMG Global Select and £1,311 for the company's Headstart budget plan. Another inexpensive scheme is InterGlobal's Ultra Comprehensive at £2,908 (budget £1,872). The same couple would pay £2,549 with Axa PPP (budget £1,993). No two plans are the same, so direct comparisons are not meaningful. Dengue Dengue fever Dengue Dengue fever is a risk throughout the year in Argentina, along with surrounding countries and the Caribbean. A serious outbreak is affecting the northern regions of Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia (2012). Fatalities from dengue haemorrhagic fever have been reported in Paraguay and there is no vaccination or immunisation. The FCO advises travellers that they may be at risk of dengue in any part of Argentina. Cases have emerged even in Buenos Aires and Buenos Aires province. Hotspots are Chaco, Corrientes, Misiones, Formosa, Salta and Jujuy. Prevention is the key and that means avoidance of mosquito bites. Use repellent and mosquito nets, and wear long sleeves. The fever usually emerges a week after being bitten, leading to high fever, severe headache, aches in joints and muscles, and enlarged lymph nodes. Subsequently it may rebound, with renewed fever and a rash across the body. The ordeal may last for weeks and there is no vaccine available. Yellow fever However, a vaccine does exist for yellow fever and it will benefit those aged over nine months travelling to regions of Argentina bordering Paraguay and Brazil in the provinces of Chaco, Corrientes, Formosa, Salta and all areas of Misiones, including Iguaçu Falls. Respiratory disease Pollution can be bad in the main cities, and therefore likely to aggravate asthma, sinus and bronchial problems. Aids Usual precautions should be taken against HIV/Aids. Its prevalence in Argentina is 0.5 per cent of the population, more than double the UK rate. Illicit drugs Possession of even very small quantities can lead to a minimum four-and-a-half-year prison sentence. Security The British embassy in Buenos Aires does not report an undue number of victims of theft or assault among visiting Britons or expatriates. However, it warns that this could change if the Falklands issue gains a higher profile. The embassy does advise Britons, however, to avoid public demonstrations. On crime, it says much of this occurs in the street, with tourists being robbed while distracted by a gang member. A typical scenario is the back-of-the jacket con whereby a helpful stranger points out a mess on your jacket and even offers a handkerchief to remove it. Either the wallet is removed or the victim is drawn away from his bags, which are rapidly removed by an accomplice. Pickpockets abound in the cities. Road hazards Foreign drivers - who need an International Driving Permit - should be aware of patchy safety standards. Speed limits and road signs are widely ignored. This is a big factor in some 8,000 road deaths a year. On crime, car users are vulnerable when stopped at traffic lights. Keep vehicle windows closed, and doors should be locked in cities. Particular care should be taken in Misiones province, near Paraguay and Brazil. The area is used to smuggle goods across the borders. When travelling by taxi, FCO advice is use only cabs marked "radio taxi." Radio taxis have a clearly visible company logo on the rear passenger doors of the vehicle. Cabs without the logo should be avoided. Until recently, Argentina offered some of the best health care in Latin America. Standards have dropped only relatively - some neighbouring states have moved ahead while Argentines recovered from their financial collapse and default in 2001-2. Financial recovery did happen, but at a cost to health funding. However, that shouldn't stop anyone from visiting this fascinating country. This piece was originally published in The Telegraph Weekly World Edition Return to the Expat country profiles index