Paraguay
They Question Isaías Fretes’ Arrival at Health and Call for More Resources for the Public System
A union leader criticized the change at the Ministry of Health and warned that the sector’s crisis will not be solved by changes in leadership alone. He also pointed to a lack of investment and a disconnect between the administration and those who provide services.
After Isaías Fretes took office at the head of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare, replacing María Teresa Barán, union leader and retired teacher from San Juan Roberto Ayala questioned the situation of the public health system, according to ABC Color.
Ayala said the underlying problem is not only one of management, but of insufficient resources to ensure proper care for the most vulnerable sectors. He also pointed out that there is a break between those who handle the finances and those in charge of health care, such as doctors, nurses and other workers.
According to ABC Color, the leader said that this mismatch ends up directly affecting users of the public system. In that context, he said that, despite the change in authorities, doctors remain in conflict and expressed the expectation that Fretes will manage to bring order to the sector and guarantee rights for both staff and patients.
Ayala also questioned Fretes’ time at the Social Security Institute. According to the newspaper, he said his management had generated expectations, but ended up being an “avatipire rendy,” a Guaraní expression that refers to something that starts off strongly and quickly fades, without results.
Still according to ABC Color, the union leader stressed that the current health budget represents about 6.8% of the General Budget of the Nation, below the 15% recommended by the World Health Organization. He said that gap translates into a shortage of doctors, specialists, supplies and medicines, as well as difficulties in expanding services such as intensive care.
Ayala added that the draft General Budget of the Nation for 2027 foresees an increase in funds for Health, although he warned that a significant portion would already be committed to debt payments. For that reason, he called for available resources to be directed toward hiring professionals and strengthening care, rather than expanding the administrative structure.
Sources
About this note. Written by El Notero with assistance from artificial intelligence, based on what was published by the cited outlet. El Notero did not do its own reporting on this event.
