Tension in Paraguay’s health sector: Government seeks dialogue in the face of mass resignation threats
The Government of Paraguay has made an urgent call to public sector doctors to resume negotiation tables and establish a comprehensive health career plan. This measure comes after a week of strikes and in the face of the growing threat of mass resignations by health personnel, who are demanding salary improvements that, for the moment, have not been approved by the Executive branch.
The Minister of Health, María Teresa Barán, together with the heads of Economy and the Civil Cabinet, ruled out an immediate salary increase of 3 million guaraníes (approximately 508 dollars) per contract. Instead, the Government proposes a model based on meritocracy, where increases are linked to academic degree and professional performance.
We had an approach to work on the healthcare career path and pay by academic degree, which I believe is what doctors deserve.
María Teresa Barán, Minister of Health
Budget proposal and the union conflict
For his part, the Minister of Economy, Óscar Lovera, announced that he will present a bill to Congress to increase spending in the health sector by 52% by the year 2027. According to the official, this increase, which would raise the budget from 500 to 760 million dollars, seeks to strengthen hospital management, the payment of debts, and the provision of medicines and medical supplies.
Despite these announcements, the situation in hospitals remains critical. The National Medical Union (Sinamed) has reported the beginning of mass resignations. Although the Ministry of Health confirmed the receipt of 61 resignations this Monday, the figure could escalate rapidly.
Professional requirements
- Salary update, which they claim has not been adjusted since the year 2012.
- Constant supply of materials and medications in all hospital centers.
- Permanent appointment for nearly 9,000 doctors who currently operate under temporary contracts.
- Improvement of working conditions and social benefits.
At the Itauguá Hospital, director Miguel Ferreira and nearly a hundred department heads have made their positions available. Doctors warn that patient saturation and the lack of specialists are worsening the crisis, pointing out that the current system is overwhelmed in its response capacity.
The professionals who have submitted their resignation have committed to continuing their duties for a period of 30 days, as stipulated by the separation process, while the medical guild and the country’s authorities maintain a tense stance while awaiting new approaches.
