Paraguay
Filizzola backed the agreement with doctors and questioned the Government's response
The opposition senator praised the understanding reached for a salary adjustment in the sector, but said the Executive acted with delay and improvisation. The agreement still must be considered by the union assembly to decide whether to end the strike.
Senator Rafael Filizzola welcomed the preliminary agreement reached between the Government and the National Union of Doctors to move forward with a salary adjustment for professionals in the public health system. According to Última Hora, the lawmaker said it is a long-overdue recognition dating back 14 years and attributed the outcome to pressure exerted by the unions.
According to La Nación Paraguay, based on a statement from Prensa Presidencia, the understanding includes a salary adjustment with a floor of G. 2 million, measures on working conditions in hospitals, medicines and supplies, appointments, and recognition for work performed on public holidays. It also said the proposal will be submitted to the doctors’ assembly, a prior step before a possible end to the strike.
Still according to La Nación Paraguay, the general secretary of Sinamed, Rosanna González, said that all doctors in the country will receive a salary adjustment and assured that the four points that prompted the strike received a response. The outlet added that the scope of the increase covers doctors in the public system, including contract workers and residents.
Última Hora reported that Filizzola strongly questioned the Government’s attitude during the conflict and denounced a smear campaign against the doctors’ strike, particularly toward Rosanna González. He also said the adjustment is only a first step and warned that a comprehensive policy is still pending to prevent the precariousness of health personnel.
The senator also criticized, according to Última Hora, the transfer of Isaías Fretes to the Ministry of Health. He said the decision looks more like improvisation than part of a plan and maintained that the official did not manage to introduce substantive changes at the Instituto de Previsión Social.
Regarding the IPS, Filizzola argued that a deeper intervention is needed to address the institution’s financial crisis and make drastic decisions. According to Última Hora, he also warned that if that situation is not corrected, the pension system could run out of resources to pay pensions in a short time.
La Nación Paraguay added that the agreement was accompanied by President Santiago Peña and Vice President Pedro Alliana. The outlet also quoted Minister Isaías Fretes, who described the understanding as a historic moment for Paraguayan medicine.
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 conduct its own reporting on this event.
