Caacupé health facilities run short of medicines for chronic patients

Patients with chronic illnesses in Caacupé say they often leave public health facilities without the medicines they need. The shortages involve losartan, enalapril and metformin at the Family Health Unit in the Cabañas area and the Caacupé Regional Hospital.

Nancy Martínez, 58, said patients come to collect treatment for their conditions but frequently return empty-handed. The Regional Health Depot receives medicines between the fifth and 15th of each month, but the supply at local facilities suggests the deliveries may not last through the entire period between shipments.

Hospital director Hugo Cañete said responsibility for supplying the medicines lies with the Health Depot, leaving the hospital dependent on its deliveries. Luis Gómez, director of the Third Health Region, said the medicines in short supply are replenished periodically during the scheduled distribution dates and then sent to health services according to their needs and available stock.