By: Ignacio Fojgel, M.D.

Argentina is a huge country and almost everything seems to happen in the capital city of Buenos Aires. But not this time: the Fifth Congress of Hyperbaric Medicine and Sub-Aquatic Activities was held April 5th- 8th, 2001 in the relatively small city of Olavarria, some 350 kilometers (220 miles) from Buenos Aires.

The selection of Olavarria as the site for a national congress was not by chance. There was good reason for this odd choice. The people of Olavarria had procured a multiplace chamber for their city’s public hospital, against great odds. In the past, hyperbaric chambers were not installed in public hospitals. Olavarria’s was to be the first in the country. Most Argentine multiplace chambers are in or near Buenos Aires.

Past experiences within her own family convinced Mrs. Delia Bouciguez, chairwoman of the Dr. Hector M. Cura Municipal Hospitals Foundation, that hyperbaric medicine had to be made available at their facility. Led by Mrs. Delia, the inhabitants of Olavarria began a fundraising campaign to gather the $107,000 that would cover the purchase, refurbishing / upgrading, and installation of a 5-person hyperbaric chamber. The Interact Club members and other associations sold one-dollar donation tickets at expositions and other large events.

The local Society of Engineers volunteered their services along with the active support of the City Mayor, Mr. Helios Eseverri, and other foundations and businesses. The dreams of the Olavarrian people became a reality in 1999.

The Dr. Hector M. Cura Hospital is not a common one by Argentine standards. To begin with, it was named, by popular demand, after the current director, Dr. Hector M. Cura, to honor him during his active life. The hospital was dedicated to his achievements for creating an efficient and excellent public hospital, in spite of the endemic local economic difficulties.

Presently, hyperbaric treatment at the Municipal Hospital is only used for 14 conditions, following the UHMS and SAMHAS criteria, but other investigational indications are contemplated.