Concepción Oncology Hospital lacks supplies, forcing patients to buy medicines

Patients at the Day Oncology Hospital in Concepción are facing critical shortages of essential medicines and supplies, forcing them and their families to purchase these items out-of-pocket to continue their treatments. The lack of oral medications, syringes, and specific drugs like Omeprazole is significantly disrupting cancer care.

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The medicine is expensive in our country, it costs five and a half million guaranies. We get it cheaper in Clorinda- Argentina-, it's also a whole issue to be able to buy it.

Raquel Benítez shared that her sister, who has cancer, has not received necessary daily pills for three months. These medications are vital until her next chemotherapy session. Benítez explained that the prescribed medication is expensive in Paraguay, costing 5.5 million Paraguayan guaranies, and that purchasing it in Clorinda, Argentina, is also a complex process.

Ramona Ramírez, accompanying a relative undergoing immunotherapy, reported similar issues. Her relative travels from Santa Rosa del Aguaray, San Pedro department, for treatment every three weeks. Ramírez had to buy a Sertal antispasmodic and analgesic, and the hospital lacked the necessary syringes and filters for the treatment. She estimated that each immunotherapy session incurs approximately 200,000 Paraguayan guaranies in external supply costs alone.

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Currently, the health center does not have syringes and the medication called Omeprazole, which are essential for a person receiving oncological treatment.

The situation highlights a severe lapse in the hospital's ability to provide basic necessities for oncology patients, placing an immense financial and logistical strain on families already dealing with the challenges of cancer treatment. This mirrors previous reports of patient deaths due to lack of supplies at other facilities, such as the Acosta Ñu Hospital.

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Each time immunotherapy is performed, the patient spends approximately G. 200,000 just on supplies.