Rosario, October 8, 2025 – With the endorsement of its City Executive Committee (CEC), Rosario has officially launched 12 locally-led projects to transform cancer care. Developed with technical support from City Cancer Challenge (C/Can), these action plans represent a milestone in building a stronger, more equitable cancer care system in Argentina’s third-largest city.
From Assessment to Action: Rosario’s Path to Better Cancer Care
Since signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with C/Can in April 2023, Rosario has mobilised a wide range of local stakeholders to assess and prioritise its most pressing oncological challenges. Over two years, the process engaged more than 100 health professionals, 30 health institutions, 6 civil society organisations, and 750 patients, who contributed expertise and lived experience to identify gaps and opportunities for change.
This collaborative needs assessment generated 111 critical findings that were discussed across 12 technical sessions involving representatives from 30 institutions. The evidence collected became the foundation for co-developing 12 project plans, addressing priority areas such as governance, diagnosis, treatment, paediatric oncology, patient-centred care, digital health, and capacity development.
City Executive Committee Affirms Commitment and Oversight
The City Executive Committee (CEC), Rosario’s highest decision-making body under the C/Can initiative in Rosario, jointly chaired by the Secretary of Public Health of Rosario City and the Minister of Public Health of the Province of Santa Fe, played a central role in endorsing the 12 project plans during its formal project plan review and endorsement meeting.
By approving the projects, the CEC affirmed its responsibility to guide, support, and supervise their execution while ensuring transparency, multisectoral collaboration and long-term sustainability.
The Province of Santa Fe is proud to support the locally led projects in Rosario to improve oncology care. By working together with the city, health institutions, and C/Can, we are ensuring that patients have better access to quality and equitable care throughout the province.
Dr. Silvia Ciancio, Minister of Public Health, Province of Santa Fe
Official Launch Brings Together Rosario’s Stakeholders
The official launch event convened representatives from the Municipality of Rosario, the Ministry of Health of Santa Fe Province, the National University of Rosario, hospital directors and administrators from public and private institutions, health professionals, patient organisations, C/Can partners and professional associations as well as academic associations. Each project was presented with an emphasis on collaborative implementation and shared ownership.
We are proud as the Cancer Agency to have nominated the city of Rosario and to support this process, which now allows us to have these projects that will improve the quality of oncology care in the city. Each of these proposals represents a concrete opportunity that will positively impact access to and improvement of our health system. Many thanks to all the stakeholders who participated in these projects.
Alejandro Chinellato, Director of the Provincial Cancer Control Agency.
Building a Sustainable and Equitable Cancer Care Future
Rosario’s 12 projects focus on improving cancer governance, strengthening diagnostic and treatment services, advancing pediatric oncology, integrating health, and ensuring patient-centred, equitable care. They also aim to address systemic challenges of hyperfragmentation and inequities that currently characterise Argentina’s health system.
Current cancer trends show that more than half of new cases and two-thirds of cancer deaths will occur in low- and middle-income countries. It is inspiring to see how Argentina’s highly fragmented health system is coming together around a common goal, advancing collectively toward better cancer care for all.
Dr. Maria Fernanda Navarro, Regional Director Latin America C/Can
Next Steps: From Project Plans to Implementation
With the CEC’s endorsement and the official launch, Rosario moves into the first cycle of implementation. Led by local stakeholders and supported by C/Can, the city will begin executing the 12 projects over the next 2 years, tracking progress, and building capacity to sustain and expand improvements in cancer care for everyone.
The initial effort required by this process showed us that what seemed unattainable could be transformed into reality. Today we have more than twenty projects ready to be implemented, reflecting how planning that initially seemed only theoretical materializes into concrete actions to strengthen cancer care in Rosario. This launch is evidence of a collective effort that marks a new chapter for our city.
Dr. Alejandra Bartoli, President of the Oncology Association of Rosario (AOR)
