Caacupé Hospital: Works Announced After Over a Year of Unmet Promises

The director of the Caacupé Regional Hospital has announced that tenders for much-needed infrastructure improvements have been awarded, following persistent public criticism over the hospital's condition and patient care. However, a definitive start date for the construction work has yet to be set.

Dr. Hugo Cañete confirmed that the Ministry of Health has initiated the bidding process for upgrades, which include constructing a new, independent Pediatric pavilion and other enhancements to bolster the hospital's capacity. He acknowledged that the most pressing issue remains the severely deteriorated old inpatient block, where an insufficient sewage system causes frequent problems.

Cañete stated that while demolishing and rebuilding the old inpatient block would be the ideal solution, this decision rests solely with the Ministry of Health. In the interim, regular maintenance is being performed to address urgent issues. Regarding patient complaints about staff performance, Cañete admitted that some employees do not fulfill their duties adequately, but he emphasized the commitment of the majority of staff in critical departments like Emergencies, Pediatrics, and Gynecology.

The hospital director also addressed concerns about medication shortages, explaining that the Health Park, not the hospital administration, manages drug supply. He assured that the hospital currently has sufficient medication and is receiving necessary supplies, with ongoing stock monitoring to proactively manage essential medicines and prevent shortages.