Imagine being at more than 5,000 meters above sea level, in the middle of an imposing landscape, where oxygen is scarce and the cold penetrates the bones. Now, imagine that in that same extreme environment, there is a fully equipped hospital, with specialists ready to attend to any emergency in the mountains.

It is not science fiction: it is the highest hospital in the world, located on Cerro Aconcagua, in the province of Mendoza, Argentina, and it is a true bastion of mountain medicine.

This hospital, which operates in the heart of the Andes Mountains, is a world reference in mountain medicine and is made up of a team of 34 specialist doctors, the largest in Argentina in this field. Its mission is not only to provide primary and emergency care to mountaineers, but also to guarantee the safety of each person who faces the challenge of climbing.

The service is included in the ascent fee and has professionals in surgery, orthopedics, emergencies, intensive care, pediatrics, gynecology and kinesiology. In addition, many of them are also mountain guides, firefighters and environmental conservation technicians, which allows them to know the terrain and react quickly to any critical situation.

To cover the entire route, the medical service has clinical domes distributed in strategic points of the Aconcagua Park:

• Confluencia (3,300 m): the first medical control point.
• Plaza de Mulas (4,300 m): it is one of the most important base camps.
• Plaza Argentina (4,150 m): another key base on the ascent route.
• Nido de Cóndores (5,500 m): the highest hospital in the world, equipped with oxygen and essential resources to treat red codes.

Each dome is a miniature clinic, with its own supply of light, gas, Wi-Fi and essential medical supplies. At Nido de Cóndores, the highest peak, professionals are prepared to handle critical rescues and emergencies caused by altitude, such as the dreaded acute mountain sickness.

What are the mandatory check-ups for prevention in the mountains?

To prevent health complications, mountaineers must undergo mandatory medical check-ups at each base camp. These evaluations allow signs of illness to be detected and decide whether it is safe to continue the climb.

In case of emergency, Cerro Aconcagua has a rescue helicopter, a team of specialized park rangers and the Mountain Rescue and Assistance Patrol Unit (UPRAM), which operates 24 hours a day. This unit also intervenes in prevention, Search, assistance, rescue and evacuation of people and vehicles in different parts of the mountainous area of ​​Mendoza.

A hospital with worldwide recognition

This model of medical care has positioned the Aconcagua hospital as a global benchmark. In 2023, its team was invited to exhibit at the 18th World Congress on Mountain and Wilderness Medicine in Utah, USA. In addition, it maintains academic agreements with prestigious universities such as Vermont, Colorado and Utah, consolidating its prestige in the field of extreme medicine.

Caring for patients in the highest hospital in the world is a task that requires not only medical knowledge, but also extraordinary physical and mental strength. Each member of the team must be prepared to face extreme conditions, where every second counts and decisions can make the difference between life and death.

In the world, there are other medical centers at high altitudes, although at lower altitudes. For example, at Everest Base Camp, located at approximately 5,000 meters, temporary medical facilities have been set up during climbing seasons to care for mountaineers. However, these do not have the permanent infrastructure and complexity of the Aconcagua hospital. At Kilimanjaro, at an altitude of 5,895 meters, basic medical services are also offered at some camps, but a similar hospital is not available. Therefore, the Aconcagua hospital is one of a kind due to its altitude, infrastructure, and specialized staff.

If you ever decide to venture into the majestic Aconcagua, remember that although the challenge is enormous, there is a team of professionals ready to take care of your health every step of the way. Because in the mountains, safety comes first, and having excellent medical care can make the difference between a dream summit and an emergency rescue.