Ginés González García

[2][3][1][4] Between 1970 and 1976, Ginés González was appointed health delegate in the provinces of Buenos Aires, Salta, La Rioja, Córdoba and San Luis.

[3][7] In 2005, he incorporated the hepatitis A vaccine into the National Calendar, which led to a 95% reduction in cases of the disease and liver transplants due to fulminant infection in six years.

Other measures he promoted were campaigns to reduce smoking and prevent sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies through the provision of free condoms.

[2] Days before the end of his term, he approved the distribution of the Technical Guide for the Comprehensive Care of Non-Punishable Abortions to the country's hospitals.

[9] As Cristina Fernández de Kirchner assumed power, González García was replaced by Graciela Ocaña in December 2007, who denounced serious irregularities in the national medicine delivery programmes and in agencies that depend on the health portfolio.

[14] A few days later, in view of the new recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), the government declared the suspension of classes in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools and the closure of national borders.

[17][18] Ginés González García was forced to resign as Health Minister on 19 February 2021[19] after it was revealed that he provided preferential treatment for the COVID-19 vaccine to his close friends, including journalist Horacio Verbitsky and other political figures.

[3] On 17 October 2024, one day prior his death, the Federal Criminal Court of Buenos Aires upheld the indictment of González García for the crimes of abuse of authority and embezzlement.

González García (far left) at a press conference with the Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers Alberto Fernández , 17 November 2006
González García with President Fernández and Santiago Cafiero at a meeting on the status of COVID-19 at Casa Rosada , 28 January 2020
González García announcing the first case of COVID-19 in the country, 3 March 2020