The National Union of Doctors (Sinamed) of Paraguay arrives this Thursday (27) on the fourth day of a general strike in all health units and hospital centers of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Security, maintaining only operational service in emergency and urgent services.
The medical profession demands the restoration of purchasing power and a salary adjustment that has been postponed for 14 years, since the last update carried out during the government of former president Fernando Lugo, in 2012, in addition to denouncing the serious lack of basic supplies and essential medicines that affects the national health network.
Union leaders classified as a mockery the proposals presented by the Minister of Economy and the Minister of Health, María Teresa Barán, who proposed a dialogue table on a career in health without compromising immediate budget allocations.
Faced with official refusal to reallocate resources, including union proposals to cut senior employees’ private health insurance or reduce spending on outsourced services, health professionals reaffirmed the continuity of the strike with the support of nursing staff and patient organizations.
Given the lack of progress in direct negotiations with the Executive Branch, headed by President Santiago Peña, the Chamber of Deputies opened a mediation process with the aim of evaluating addenda in the discussion of the Nation’s General Budget.
However, representatives of the medical field warned that the lack of concrete answers keeps open the possibility of an indefinite extension of the strike throughout the national territory.
As part of the plan to give visibility to the health crisis, Sinamed announced the transfer of demonstrations to the department of Itapúa, coinciding with the development of the 2026 World Rally Championship.
Health brigades plan to carry out protest actions during the days of the international sporting event, in which the highest central government authorities are expected to be present, in order to publicly denounce the deterioration of the public health system.
During the days of protest, the union presented four main demands: salary adjustment, double payment for holidays, reduced working hours for outsourced employees and guarantee of supplies and adequate infrastructure in health centers.
Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
